Maharashtra Bandh today over Lakhimpur Kheri violence

Mumbai : Shops, markets will remain closed on Monday in Maharashtra as the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government has called for a 24-hour bandh across the state. The bandh has been announced to protest against the killing of farmers in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh.

As a precautionary measure, striking reserves have been deployed at strategic points, with 3 companies of SRPF, 500 Home Guards and 700 men from Local Arms units, Mumbai Police said.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane has warned the state government not to shut shops forcefully. Taking to Twitter, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane on Sunday said, “If shopkeepers are ‘forced’ to close shops by any of the MVA karyakartas..then they will have to face BJP karyakartas! Police should ensure no one is forced or else there will be a law n order situation which is not our responsibility”.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra retail traders’ association has decided to keep all the shops closed for a day, Viren Shah, president of the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Assocaition (FRTWA) has urged traders to not operate shops throughout the day following the state government’s request.

Mumbai Police has notified that all essential services will remain functional during the bandh and all local trains will operate as per their scheduled time.