Multiple outfits declare bandh

Mumbai: The shops and markets all over Maharashtra are likely to remain shut on Thursday (August 9) in the wake of bandh called by several organisations. While Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) has called for a statewide sit-in protest demanding reservation for Marathas, Dalit organisations and Kisan Sabha have called for Bharat bandh on the same day.

The MKM has given call for peaceful statewide Thiyya (sit-in) agitation from August 9 to put more pressure on the state government for its demand of reservation. The agitation is planned in all corners of Mumbai as well as Maharashtra.

Similarly, different Dalit organisations and smaller groups have planned an agitation all over India on August 9. The agitation will be against Supreme Court order about SC/ST atrocity act. The Union government has already passed a proposal for amendments, but still the organisations are firm on agitation.

Last time Dalit organisations had declared Maharashtra bandh on January 3, over the issue of riots at Bhima Koregaon. During the agitation many incidents of violence were reported in the state. The police will have to be prepared looking at the sensitivity of the issue.

Meanwhile, both agitations will put heavy pressure on the state government to maintain law and order situation. MKM coordinators have already declared that their agitation will be peaceful. But looking at recent incidents of violence in state, police will have to be prepared for everything. Also, Mathadi labor union has declared that it won’t participate in MKM’s agitation.