Maratha quota: Curfew imposed in Ambad tehsil of Jalna considering law and order situation

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A curfew has been imposed in Ambad taluka of Maharashtra's Jalna district considering the law and order situation in view of the ongoing agitation for Maratha quota by activist Manoj Jarange, as per an order issued by the district administration, reported news agency PTI.

Jalna collector Srikrushna Panchal in the order said Jarange announced on Sunday that he will go to Mumbai and agitate over his demand of Maratha quota.

There is a possibility that people may come to Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, where the activist has been staging a hunger strike, to stop him (from going to Mumbai), reported PTI.

Due to the huge crowd, there is a possibility that traffic on Dhule-Mumbai highway and other nearby areas may be affected, the order mentioned.

Considering the law and order situation, curfew has been imposed in Ambad taluka from Monday midnight till further orders, the order said, reported PTI.

Government offices, schools, movement on national highways, milk distribution, media and hospitals are exempted from this order, the collector said, reported PTI.

Jarange on Sunday night left from Antarwali Sarati and reached nearby Bhamberi village.

However, on Monday morning, the protesting activist returned to Antarwali Sarati and started taking medical treatment, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should not listen to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and spell out why the notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas was not being implemented, reported PTI.

Jarange made the remarks late Sunday night after CM Shinde said the activist must not test the patience of his government.

Speaking in Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district earlier on Sunday, Jarange alleged Fadnavis was trying to kill him. He also announced that he would march to Mumbai and protest outside the residence of the deputy CM.

Jarange had also claimed that a poisoning attempt was made against him through saline, though he did not elaborate on it, reported PTI.

He was speaking to reporters on the eve of the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature.

Jarange later left from Antarwali Sarati and stopped at Bhamberi village in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar while on way to Mumbai.

The Maharashtra legislature during a one-day special session last Tuesday unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category, but Jarange has been firm on his demand for quota for the community under the OBC head and converting the notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into a law.

(With inputs from PTI)