Banjara Community Holds ‘Rasta Roko’ Protest for ST Reservation; Over 800 Police Deployed on Samruddhi Expressway

Mumbai / Amaravati:
The Banjara community has launched a massive ‘Rasta Roko’ (road blockade) agitation on the Samruddhi Expressway, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation and immediate redressal of 22 key issues, including complete farm loan waiver.

The protest is being led by Prahar Janshakti Party leader and former MLA Bachchu Kadu, with thousands of farmers actively participating. In response, the administration has deployed around 800 police personnel along the expressway to maintain law and order and prevent traffic disruption.

Late last night, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly called Bachchu Kadu and invited him for talks to resolve the matter. Kadu accepted the invitation but announced that the sit-in protest on the national highway will continue at the planned site until a concrete resolution is reached.

Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray is scheduled to hold a public meeting today, where he is expected to deliver a presentation on alleged irregularities in voter lists ahead of the upcoming elections.

In a separate development, Cyclone Mountha has started impacting parts of Maharashtra. Heavy rainfall has been reported in Latur, Beed, and Dharashiv districts of the Marathwada region. Weather officials have predicted more showers across various parts of the state today.

Authorities continue to closely monitor both the protest situation and the weather developments across Maharashtra.