January 03, 2018: Heavy security has been deployed in Mumbai and other cities on the backdrop of Maharashtra Bandh today. Prakash Ambedkar, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader has called a ‘Maharashtra bandh’ to protest against the government’s alleged failure to stop the violence. He has appealed for peace during the bandh period.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also appealed for calm and ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the Pune violence.
No untoward incidents of violence are reported from across the state. Local trains, city buses, taxies and other private transport services are running smoothly in the city.
Government offices, schools and colleges in Mumbai are open but school buses in tense areas are off roads in Mumbai as a safety measure. The School Bus Owners’ Association has said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses. Dabbawala’s services will remain closed today in Mumbai.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has condemned the incidents of violence and appealed to the public to maintain unity and harmony in the society.
Leaders across the parties have also appealed people to maintain calm and not fall prey nefarious tactics to divide society over castes. Several towns and cities in Maharashtra were on edge yesterday as Dalit protests against violence in Bhima Koregaon in Pune district. (AIR NEWS)
