Maratha quota issue: increased security implemented outside ministers' residences amid protests

Mumbai: Following protests and violent incidents by pro-Maratha quota demonstrators in parts of Maharashtra, the police have heightened security measures around government establishments and the residences of ministers and politicians.

This action comes after demonstrators targeted the homes and offices of several politicians in the Marathwada region, leading to vandalism and arson, particularly in the Beed district.

In response to the increased unrest, authorities have enforced a curfew in some parts of Beed and Dharashiv districts. Additionally, protesters blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway in Pune and set tires ablaze to emphasise their demand for Maratha reservations.

To address the situation, the Mumbai police have deployed additional personnel outside the Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai, as a cabinet meeting was scheduled for the day. Stringent security measures were also implemented at other key locations across south Mumbai, with the police remaining on high alert.

The official residence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane's LouisWadi has experienced heightened security measures, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Additionally, the personal residences of Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, ministers Chandrakant Patil, Deepak Kesarkar, Dada Bhuse, and other prominent leaders, including Ambadas Danve and Ashok Chavan, in Mumbai have had their security beefed up.

Increased security can also be observed outside the offices of political parties in south Mumbai, including the BJP, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, as well as the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar.