Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde chairs meeting of top officials to discuss Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s demands

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde holds meeting with top officials to discuss Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s demands

In response to the demands put forth by Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange, a meeting was held under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his residence, Varsha.

The primary agenda of the meeting was to discuss the formulation of a new ordinance to address the demands raised by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange.

The meeting, attended by key officials, including Mumbai Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Mumbai Suburbs Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, was held to find solutions to the issues raised by the Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange.

Senior police officers and Social Justice Department Secretary Sumant Bhange were also present at the meeting.

The focus of the discussion was on preparing a new ordinance, which is expected to be communicated to Manoj Jarange Patil soon.

Earlier in the day, a team of senior Mumbai police officials held a meeting with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange in Navi Mumbai regarding his planned agitation in the metropolis. Jarange, accompanied by thousands of supporters, is currently stationed in the APMC area in Vashi.

He has warned the Maharashtra government that he will march to Mumbai's Azad Maidan for a sit-down protest starting Saturday if various demands, including free education for Maratha children, are not addressed, newswire PTI reported.

An official said the Mumbai police team comprised Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Virendra Mishra, Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Vinayak Deshmukh and Deputy Commissioner of Police Purushottam Karad.

The details of the discussion between Jarange and the police team were not immediately available as it took place behind closed doors.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jarange said Maratha agitators are cooperating with the police. He also said protesters taken into custody must be released immediately.

A huge number of police personnel has been deployed in APMC area, while units of the local police, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), among others, have been stationed at vital points to maintain law and order, the official informed.

Manoj Jarange and his supporters left from his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna on January 20 to reach Mumbai to protest for Maratha quota.

The marchers, who are seeking distribution of Kunbi certificates to members of the Maratha community to allow it to get quota under the OBC segment, reached Navi Mumbai late Thursday night.