On September 25, 18 roads to be closed in Pune during Maratha morcha

Pune : Officials from traffic branch of Pune police said that 18 roads (chowks) will be closed for traffic since 7 am till completion of the Maratha silent march (mook morcha) on Sunday, September 25.

Deputy Commissioner of police (traffic branch) Pravin Mundhe said, “The march will start from Bhide bridge behind Deccan Gymkhana and proceed via Laxmi Road, Power house chowk, to culminate at Council Hall. There roads (chowks) will be blocked for traffic since 7 am till passage of marching people. As protesting people march away, roads will be opened.  Therefore people are appealed avoid these places.

The trigger for these gatherings was the incident at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar in July this year, which saw a minor girl from the Maratha community gang-raped and brutally murdered. Since then, hugely attended rallies of Marathas have been held across the state, under no particular political face or banner. Though they were initially being held to condemn the horrific incident, two major demands are now being put forward by the community through these rallies — an amendment to the Prevention of Atrocities Act and reservations for Marathas.