20 held for violence in Aurangabad; industries targeted

Twenty people were arrested in connection with violence here in Maharashtra during the state-wide bandh called by Maratha groups to press for their demand for job reservation, police said today.

They were arrested for torching and damaging vehicles and public properties during the bandh yesterday, said Police Commissioner Chiranjeev Prasad.

Some more would be rounded up soon, he said.

Meanwhile, industry associations have said protesters targeted 60 industrial premises in the Waluj area of Aurangabad district during the bandh and strongly condemned the attack on them.

Prasad Kokil, former president, the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), said 60 companies, including Siemens, Endurance Technologies, Varroc, Nahar Infotech, Akanksha Packs, NRB Bearings and Canpack, among others, were targeted by hooligans.

Industrialist Ravi Vaidya, speaking to the media, said industries in the district have closed down their units for a day today as a mark of protest against the attack.

He said a delegation would soon meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and discuss the issue with him.

President of Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA) Kishor Rathi said the incident, which caused financial losses to industries, has sent negative signal to investors across the globe.