Maratha quota stir: Pune schools and colleges remain shut on August 9

Precautionary holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in the Pune district by the district collector on August 9, ahead of the 'Chakka Jam' call given by the Maratha organisations across the state.

The Pune district collector Naval Kirshore Ram today held a meeting of police officials and the representatives of Maratha organisations. "The meeting was called ahead of agitation on August 9. Through this meeting, we appeal the representatives to carry out the agitation in peaceful manner without restoring to violence."

The collector however, has declared holiday for schools and colleges on August 9 as a precautionary measure. "The order of holiday for schools and colleges on August 9 has been issued for the entire district. Though we have appealed the community representatives to carryout peaceful agitation, we do not want school and college student to be stranded if violence occurs at any place, therefore, the precautionary order of closing of schools and colleges have been issued," he said. 

The police also have beefed up the force in the district and three additional companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been called in the district. 

"Nearly 80 percent of our force will be deployed for the bandobast on August 9. Most of the force will be deployed on the state and national highways passing through the district as we have seen protesters mainly blocking highways," Sandip Patil, superintendent of police (Pune Rural) said. The police have also identified some anti miscreants in the district and preventive action will be taken against them before the agitation.  

Meanwhile, the Mararatha Kranti Morcha representatives also have appealed the agitators not to restore to violence. Pravin Gaikwad, president of Sambhaji brigade and one of the main coordinators of Maratha Kranti Morcha said, "Ahead of the statewide protest on August 9, we are traveling in the entire state and appealing the agitators not to restore to violence. We have told them to gather at collector offices or tehsildar offices in large numbers from 10 am ti 5 pm and show the support for the agitation."

Gaikwad however, warned that if police try to use the force on that day, the agitation may turn violent. "Be it Jat agitation or Patidar agitation, they turn violent when police used force. Even in this agitation also, if police try to book the agitators in false cases, the agitation will not take time to turn violent."

Meanwhile the members of Maratha Kranti Morcha will be holding dharna outside the residence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Baramati on Wednesday. "The dharna agitation outside the residences of elected peoples' representatives is going on and as a part of the agitation, the protestors will be reaching Baramati tonight and we will be holding dharna outside Pawar's house on tomorrow," Gaikwad said.