The streets of south Mumbai turned into a sea of protesters as thousands rallied behind Manoj Jarange’s Maratha quota agitation at Azad Maidan, near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). What could have spiralled into chaos remained largely peaceful, thanks to the Mumbai police’s meticulous planning and tactful crowd management over the five-day stir, which began on August 29 and ended on Tuesday.
Jarange, leading a hunger strike to demand Maratha reservations, drew over 60,000 supporters in 8,000 vehicles, far exceeding the permitted 5,000 for a single-day protest. The massive turnout clogged roads, disrupted traffic, and turned CSMT into a makeshift camp, with protesters sleeping on platforms and cooking in public spaces. Despite the scale, the police ensured the situation stayed under control.
The Mumbai police deployed over 1,500 personnel, backed by CRPF, CISF, RAF, SRPF, Riot Control Police, and Maharashtra Security Force. Preparations began well in advance, with meetings held with Jarange’s core team to coordinate logistics. CCTV surveillance and drones kept a close watch on south Mumbai, while senior officers like Joint Commissioner Satya Narayan Choudhary, Additional CP Abhinav Deshmukh, and DCP Pravin Mundhe were hands-on at the scene.
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When protesters blocked roads and refused to move, DCP Mundhe’s quick thinking—making a video call to Jarange to secure his cooperation—cleared bottlenecks. Protesters roamed iconic spots like Marine Drive, Gateway of India, and the Bombay Stock Exchange, but police maintained order with calm requests and strategic diversions.
The Bombay High Court, noting that the city was “literally paralysed”, intervened on Monday, criticising the protesters for violating conditions and ordering Jarange to clear Azad Maidan by Tuesday noon. When the deadline loomed, police intensified efforts, using public announcements to urge protesters to relocate vehicles to Navi Mumbai. By Tuesday afternoon, as Jarange called off his strike after the state government met most demands, the crowds dispersed peacefully.
Joint CP Choudhary praised the police force, saying, “You all handled the situation with skill and dedication. I’m proud of your efforts.” A senior official told PTI, “Despite the overwhelming numbers, we managed the situation without major incidents. It was a testament to our team’s professionalism.”
The Maratha protest may have tested Mumbai’s resilience, but the police’s swift and strategic response ensured the city stayed safe and stable.
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