Teen killed in Nanded. Public transport halts. Schools emptied
Mumbai, financial capital of the country, was brought to its knees as protesters attacked buses, halted trains and blocked roads at strategic points on Wednesday as part of the bandh that was called to denounce violence at Bhima Koregaon on the 200th anniversary of the battle between the British and a Peshwa army.
Violence affected other parts of the state too and one person, a 16-year-old boy, died at the protest in Nanded.
Intensity of the forced bandh in Mumbai increased around noon, by which time most Mumbaikars had reached their offices. Protesters took over Eastern Express Highway and blocked traffic there, leading to traffic jams on both sides of Ghatkopar. Around the same time, Dalit activists marched towards railway stations and halted trains near Vashi, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Chembur, Vikhroli, Govandi on Harbour and Central lines and near Malad, Goregaon, Nallasopara on the Western line.
Protesters did not spare private vehicles or Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking's (BEST) buses and a few of them were smashed for effect. Even those parked by the roadside on LBS Road were damaged by miscreants. BEST decided to withdraw buses from services around noon after about 50 buses were vandalised. Metro services between Ghatkopar and Airport Road, too, were halted as a precautionary measure, fearing damage to property.
Domestic flights were affected as several crew and passengers could not report to the airport. As many as 32 flights were cancelled as per reports till 8.30 pm.
As the rioters took control of most parts of the city, policemen mostly remained spectators, using minimum force and requesting crowds to disperse and let traffic move.
Confusion attended city schools and colleges as the state had not declared an official holiday, but school bus operators remained off roads fearing damage. While few schools remained open in the morning session, they let the students go home early as violence increased by noon; Afternoon sessions were abandoned altogether. Mumbai University had scheduled 13 examinations and decided to go ahead with them in the absence of instructions otherwise. It allowed students to reach one hour late in case they were held up by the violence.
At around 4.30 pm, Dr Prakash Ambedkar, leader of the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, called off the bandh and claimed it a successful one as 50 per cent of the population had participated in it.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the state government will take appropriate action against those who caused violence at Bhima Koregaon.
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Protesters did not spare private vehicles or Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking's (BEST) buses and a few of them were smashed for effect. Even those parked by the roadside on LBS Road were damaged by miscreants. BEST decided to withdraw buses from services around noon after about 50 buses were vandalised. Metro services between Ghatkopar and Airport Road, too, were halted as a precautionary measure, fearing damage to property.
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