M'rashtra bandh hits life in Mumbai

The impact of the day-long bandh called by Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson on Wednesday to protest against the attack on Dalit activists in Bhima Goregaon in Pune was felt in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with reports of rail rokos and rasta rokos.

The bandh call was given by Prakash Ambedkar, president of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a faction of the Republican party and has the support of several Left, Dalit and progressive organisations and parties.

Wednesday also marked the 187th death anniversary of social reformer and poet Savitribai Phule, who with her husband, caste reformer and writer Jyotirao Phule, played an important role in improving women's rights in India during British rule.

Agitators blocked railway tracks in Thane station in the district on the Central Railway and Virar in Palghar district on the Western Railway in the morning.

However, GRP and RPF units reached the spot and dispersed the crowd who were carrying blue flags.

In Thane city's Teen Haath Naka, agitators tried to block the road. In the entire MMR, lesser number of taxis and autos were seen on the roads.

Several small shops remained closed.

The school bus owners association decided not to ply buses for the day. However, there was no school holiday.

Few of the private schools in the eastern suburbs like Chembur and Ghatkopar were closed to avoid any untoward incident. In the morning, a school bus was stoned by miscreants.

The dabbawallas of Mumbai are not undertaking tiffin delivery services on Wednesday.

Reports from Aurangabad said that buses services were affected and some of the examinations of a university were cancelled.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation.