Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday assured representatives from the Maratha community of his government’s commitment to grant them reservations in jobs and education, PTI reported. Fadnavis met 22 representatives from several Maratha groups.

After the meeting, the Maratha groups issued a joint statement calling for restraint and peace ahead of the next protest scheduled for August 9. The state government has requested the Centre to deploy troops to help it prevent any violence.

“Various short-term and long-term measures to provide relief to the community were discussed,” Fadnavis said after the meeting. “Everybody present gave valuable suggestions. We told them about the steps that the government has taken.”

Earlier on Thursday, the chief minister asked all elected members to convince people of the government’s commitment to grant their demands. He was addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party state legislature meeting in Mumbai. The legislators were asked to increase their efforts in assisting the community secure welfare scheme benefits.