Maharashtra Bandh: Shops remain shut; commuters stranded as BEST, TMT buses off roads

Meanwhile, at least nine BEST buses were damaged by unknown persons by pelting stones in various places.

Mumbai, First Published Oct 11, 2021, 9:16 AM IST | Last Updated Oct 11, 2021, 9:26 AM IST

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies- the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress have called for a Maharashtra Bandh today to protest against the killing of four farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri.

The bandh is being observed in solidarity with farmers of the country, who are protesting since last year against the Centre's three farm legislation.

In Mumbai and adjoining areas, shops remain closed. The state government said everything will be closed except for essential services. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee or subzi mandi will also be shut till 3 pm.

Meanwhile, at least nine BEST buses were damaged by unknown persons by pelting stones in various places.

A senior BEST official said that only four buses were operated across Mumbai and barring this, bus operations are shut across island city and suburbs now.

The bustling Thane railway station witnessed a very thin crowd, while long queue was seen for autos in Thane as TMT buses off roads.

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The busy streets wore a deserted roads as many trad unions supported the Uddhav Thackeray government led statewide bandh.

In view of the bandh, Mumbai Police has heightened security in the state's capital city of Mumbai.

The police on Sunday said that strict patrolling will be held to ensure no untoward incident takes place. Striking reserves will also be deployed at strategic points, with three companies of Maharashtra state reserve police force (SRPF), 500 Home Guards and 700 men from Local Arms units, news agencies reported quoting police.

Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra was named in the FIR filed by farmers who alleged that he knocked four farmers at a gathering of slogan-shouting demonstrators amid a peaceful black-flag protest last Sunday.

He was produced before a court on Saturday night, days after intense pressure build up on police inaction even after a murder case was filed. He was arrested after marathon grilling. The Supreme Court had also pulled up the UP Police for not doing their job properly.

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