Sporadic incidents of violence, road and rail blockages, stone-pelting, processions and protest demonstrations marked the Maharashtra shutdown called by some Dalit organisations on Wednesday, 3 January, amid tight security across the state. The bandh was called off by the evening – but not before considerably affecting public life.
Groups of Dalit activists jumped on the railway tracks, shouting slogans and waved flags to attempt rail-blockades at various stations in Thane and Palghar districts.
Hordes thronged Dahisar check post, the critical entry point to Mumbai and staged a road blockade, preventing traffic movement in both directions.
Schools and colleges opened as usual in Mumbai but school buses stayed off roads as a precaution.
Some examinations of the Aurangabad University had to be rescheduled as candidates could not make it to the examination centres, while internet services were suspended in the global tourist hotspot.
Though many taxi-auto rickshaw unions have supported the shutdown, Mumbai's lifeline, the suburban trains and the Bombay Electric Supply And Transport bus services were plying near-normally, with delays.
Some autos and taxis were seen plying in various areas, but the famed dabbawalas cancelled their services for the day, while the BEST suspended services on some routes.
Many shops and establishments also opened in the city and suburbs, but some hours later, they downed shutters in many areas.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses in some sensitive districts have been suspended as a precaution after it suffered damages to 187 buses in the 2 January violence.
The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a Dalit party headed by Prakash Ambedkar – the grandson of BR Ambedkar – called for a 'peaceful Maharashtra shutdown' on Wednesday to express anger over the Pune incidents of 1 January.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a judicial probe by a "sitting judge" of Bombay High Court, a CID investigation into the violence and compensation of Rs 1 million for the victim's family.
(With inputs from IANS)
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