Maha bandh over Lakhimpur violence: Bus services affected, shops remain closed

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) claimed its services were affected and eight of its buses were vandalised in Mumbai during the shutdown on Monday. However, the local trains and Metro rail services were operating normally.

Mumbai: Bus services were affected in Mumbai on Monday during the statewide bandh called by the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Agadi (MVA) allies and other outfits in protest against the Lakhimpur Kheri incident that claimed the lives of eight people including four farmers. Shops and other commercial establishments, barring those engaged in selling essential items, remained closed across the state during the shutdown.

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST)- which operates Mumbai's public transport buses- claimed its services were affected and eight of its buses were vandalised in different areas of Mumbai between midnight and 8 am on Monday. It has sought protection from police to operate the buses.

However, the local trains and Metro rail services were operating normally, which came as a big relief for commuters.

Earlier, several trade organisations extended support for the bandh. All shops, except those dealing in essential items, will remain closed till 3 pm, PTI quoted Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP) president Fattechand Ranka as saying on Sunday. Over 2,000 traders dealing in fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, onions and potatoes etc will support the bandh to show solidarity with farmers, Rohan Ursal, secretary of the Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Adate (Traders) Association told the news agency.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has warned the state government not to shut shops forcefully. Taking to Twitter, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane on Sunday said, "If shopkeepers are 'forced' to close shops Tomorrow by any of the MVA karyakartas..then they will have to face BJP karyakartas! Police should ensure no one is forced or else there will be a law and order situation which is not our responsibility."

Nitesh Rane's tweet

The Mumbai Police are on high alert in order to thwart any untoward incident during the bandh. Striking reserves will be deployed at strategic points, with 3 companies of SRPF, 500 Home Guards and 700 men from Local Arms units, it said.

After a state Cabinet meeting on October 6, senior Cabinet Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state chief Jayant Patil informed the Cabinet has decided to hold 'Maharashtra Bandh' on October 11 to mark their protest over Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Following this, the workers of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress had met citizens with an appeal to participate in the bandh wholeheartedly and express their solidarity with farmers.