Maha Bandh: BEST Bus Services Shut In Mumbai After Stone Pelting

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government – Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress – are observing ‘Maharashtra bandh’ today (11 October 2021). This is to register their protest over the killings of four farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3. In the wake of the Maharashtra bandh, bus services in Mumbai and neighbouring areas were disrupted today due to stone-pelting.

A statement issued by BEST said “Bus services of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) were closed in Mumbai on Monday after incidents of stone-pelting. Nine buses, including one hired on a lease, were damaged in areas like Dharavi, Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, Charkop, Oshiwara, Deonar and near Inorbit Mall here early morning.”

It further added that, “The BEST administration has called for police protection and buses will be operated from all depots after reviewing the situation.”

As the BEST buses and the ‘black-yellow cabs’ remained off roads, there were huge crowds on suburban railway stations, which were running as per schedule.

In the morning, shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in Mumbai and neighbouring areas. Only the ones selling essentials were open. Traders decided to keep the shops shut for half a day. The shops will open from 4 pm onwards.

Eight people, including four farmers, died in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3. The farmers died after being knocked down by vehicles reportedly carrying BJP workers.  Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra was arrested by the police in the Lakhimpur Kheri case.

Also Read: Maharashtra Bandh: Ruling MVA Alliance To Protest Lakhimpur Kheri Violence