Maratha stir: Rest of state likely to be hit, industrial belt in Pune shut

PUNE:The Maratha agitation on Thursday is likely to hit Aurangabad, Nashik, Kolhapur and Pune. Most schools and colleges in these areas have declared a holiday.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha’s coordinators from 32 districts met in Aurangabad and distanced themselves from the Parli agitators who withdrew their sit-in on Tuesday.
The agitators have said all cases registered against Marathas should be withdrawn by August 10.If they aren’t, they will resort to a ‘chul bandh’ (no-food agitation) on August 15, Maratha leaders Rajendra Datey Patil and Vinod Patil said. The leaders said Thursday’s protest will be peaceful and urged youth to refrain from violence. While in Pune, the sit-in will be at the collector and tehsildar offices, industries will remain shut.
As many as 1,000 companies are based in the Chakan belt, which witnessed violence following the previous bandh. Aurangabad and most parts of Marathwada will witness a total bandh, with schools, colleges and business establishments shut. Buses and autorickshaws may remain off roads. Kolhapur too is expected to see a total shutdown, and Nashik may also be affected.