Live updates: After day of unrest, massive Maharashtra bandh called off

The authorities on Wednesday suspended the remaining services of AC local in view of the ongoing protests over Koregaon-Bhima violence.

Image Credit: ANI/Twitter

MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: After a day of unrest and violence, BR Ambedkar's grandson and Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar called off the Maharashtra bandh. The bandh was called by across the state to protest against Pune's Koregaon-Bhima violence. 

The protest severely affected the normal life on Wednesday. The authorities today suspended the remaining services of AC local in view of the ongoing protests over Koregaon-Bhima violence issue. Other suburban services are being run amid intermittent protests at Elphinstone Road, Goregaon, Dadar, Malad. There is no cancellation of Long Distance trains, reports said.

Here are the live updates:-

03 January 2018

17:08 IST

"The shutdown was peaceful and has evoked a huge response all over. I thank all my supporters for making it a success," Ambedkar told media persons.

He also demanded that the state government should slap murder charges on the perpetrators of the violence and subsequent death of a youth in Koregaon-Bhima incident of January 1, 2017.

15:35 IST

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar withdraws Maharashtra bandh call.

15:33 IST

Earlier, BEST buses were damaged and four drivers were injured. Some 150 people were taken into custody.

15:31 IST

Flights are being delayed by about 45 minutes because of less ground staff.

15:30 IST

Train services between Panwal and Washi is on.

14:52 IST

At least 48 buses of BEST got damaged in protests in Mumbai today while four drivers got injured. As many as 150 protesters have been detained till now.

14:15 IST

Traffic cleared at Mela Junction, Worli. One can travel towards sea link smoothly, tweets Mumbai Police.

14:14 IST

Traffic from Haji Ali diverted through Mahalaxmi/Senapati Bapat Marg temporarily due to congestion, tweets Mumbai Police.

14:14 IST

Maharashtra: Heavy Police deployment in Aurangabad, stones pelted & vehicles vandalized by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8RuCB3hNa2

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

13:17 IST

'Rasta Roko' protest being held in Andheri on the Western Express Highway #Mumbai #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/2vsBRCvRRt

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

13:16 IST

Traffic on Western Expressway near Dahisar Naka and Aarey Junction is clear now. However, still affected near Thakur village, tweets Mumbai Police.

13:04 IST

Remaining services of AC local train suspended for the day amid protests in Mumbai. Other suburban train services are functional barring disruptions at places like Elphinstone Road, Goregaon, Dadar and Malad. There is no cancellation of long distance trains.

12:58 IST

Mumbai Police asks commuters to avoid Worli Naka, asks them to use Worli Sea Face Road instead.

12:41 IST

Updates from Mumbai Police:
Kalanagar junction on Western Expressway cleared
Avoid MMRDA Junction
Traffic affected on Western Express Highway near Dahisar Naka and near Oberoi Mall
Traffic diverted from Eastern Expressway due to road blockade at Pnjrapol Junction and Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar

Traffic diversions:
Vikroli north and south bound diverted to LBS road.
JVLR  diverted towards Saki Vihar
Sion Panvel Highway diverted at Umarshi Bappa Chowk to Jhama Mahal Chowk to Panjrapol

12:10 IST

Mumbai Central Railway and Harbour Line affected
All trains leading to Kalyan and Panvel route have been affected
No trains have left or arrived since 11 am
Long distance trains also affected
Large number of commuters stranded

12:01 IST

Two Thane Municipal Transport buses and an auto-rickshaw vandalized in Chendani Koliwada area, four passengers injured.  

#Maharashtra: Two Thane Municipal Transport buses and an auto-rickshaw vandalized in Chendani Koliwada area, four passengers injured #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/dma7yAejdU

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

12:00 IST

Metro services between Asalfa and Ghatkopar Metro station stopped by protesters, reports ANI.

11:58 IST

Shops at NM Joshi Marg forcibly being closed by protesters in Mumbai.  

Mumbai: Shops at NM Joshi Marg forcibly being closed by protesters #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/AoQsnTux7k

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

11:57 IST

Protests being carried out in the state; Here are some more visuals from Nagpur's Shatabdi Square.  

Maharashtra: Protests being carried out in the state; visuals from Nagpur's Shatabdi Square #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/CRxHim7qOl

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

11:36 IST

13 BEST buses damaged due to stone pelting. Rasta roko at Bandra Kalanagar, Dharavi Kumbharwada, Kamraj Nagar, Santoshnagar Dindoshi, Hanuman Nagar Kandivali; road traffic affected, says reports. 

11:26 IST

Protesters have jammed the Eastern Express Highway near Ghatkopar.

Mumbai: Protesters continue to block Eastern Express Highway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/Usg1jHxV4Y

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:59 IST

Heavy security arrangements in Dandekar pool in view of protests over Bhima-Koregaon violence. “We appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine. There will be peace in the city. Don't trust rumours being spread on social media,'' says DCP Pravin Mundhe.

Pune: Security arrangements in Dandekar pool in view of protests over #BhimaKoregaonViolence, DCP Pravin Mundhe says, 'we appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine. There will be peace in the city. Don't trust rumours being spread on social media' pic.twitter.com/7E0s3TFNqF

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:45 IST

Commuters stranded in Mumbai becuaese of lesser number of autorickshaw and other transport on roads. An autorickshaw driver in Mulund says, "We are supporting this bandh only because we are scared about our loss. They can vandalize anything here."

10:43 IST

#Maharashtra: Large number of protesters have occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting rail traffic. Administration & security forces are making all efforts to normalize the train operations-Western Railway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/xTBjKnP8xU

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:30 IST

Protesters try to block Western Expressway in Mumbai.

10:29 IST

#Maharashtra: Protesters halt buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in #Thane, also deflate bus tyres #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/Me37mxNjgW

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:29 IST

Inter state bus services from Karnataka-Maharashtra temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure: Visuals from Belgaum #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/krTK8dL6ym

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:12 IST

Internet services suspended in Aurangabad, bus operations also affected, reports ANI. 

10:10 IST

Seen at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, 'No practicals, lectures today'. 

#Maharashtra: Seen at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, 'No practicals, lectures today' #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/fIAJTg5mdN

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

10:09 IST

Internet services suspended in Aurangabad, bus operations also affected.

10:05 IST

#Maharashtra: Protesters seen gathering at Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony, police personnel also at the site #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/tkoEaJGFU1

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

09:52 IST

"It was left for the parents to decide if they want to send their their children to school, hardly 50 students came today. So now we are even sending them back home, teachers will also leave thereafter" says a teacher at Young Ladies High School in Mumbai.

09:47 IST

#Maharashtra: Many schools in #Thane shut, administration says "considered safety and security of students" #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/n3YguYDLE5

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

09:26 IST

"Very less auto-rickshaws and buses on roads today. This is troublesome for the entire state, particularly people who have to go to offices" says a commuter waiting for transport at Thane's Vartak Nagar #Maharashtra #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/yReSzt4uBY

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

09:21 IST

#Maharashtra: People seen waiting near Thane's Vartak Nagar due to less auto-rickshaws and other transport in the state today #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/ttc3NpMcIt

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

09:19 IST

Train services from Virar in suburban Mumbai resume after being halted for an hour.

09:19 IST

Bus services towards Pune's Baramati and Satara suspended till further orders.

08:56 IST

"Don't believe or spread rumors, continue with your routine activities,'' Mumbai Police advises residents.

"Don't believe or spread rumors, continue with your routine activities. Police administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation" Mumbai Police advises residents #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/VC8xBnEfwf

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

08:54 IST

-"Few protestors tried to disrupt Railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now" says CPRO Central Railway.

08:42 IST

-Security deployment in Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony and Eastern Express Highway.

#Mumbai: Security deployment in Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony and Eastern Express Highway #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/KfaeJJJ4Mi

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

08:40 IST

Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station over Bhima-Koregaon violence.

Maharashtra: Protesters halt a train at Thane Railway Station over #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/BHLsWmfpmk

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

08:36 IST

Bhima-Koregaon violence: Section 144 imposed in Maharashtra's Thane till 4th January midnight.

08:09 IST

Activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar gave a call for Maharashtra bandh today: Visuals from Chembur #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/MUBpKgTVX7

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018

08:08 IST

Government has not declared any leave for schools, colleges and offices. Heavy police deployment could be seen at all sensitive locations.

08:07 IST

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the violence was unfortunate and condemnable.

08:06 IST

Maximum impact of the bandh likely in eastern suburbs of Ghatkopar, Chembur, Tilak Nagar and Mulund, in Mumbai.

08:06 IST

-Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan condemned the violence and urged people not to believe in rumours.

08:05 IST

Won't run school buses in Mumbai today, can't risk students' safety and security. Will take a second decision at 11 AM if we can run them in the second half, depending on the situation, says Anil Garg of School Bus Owners' Association.

08:04 IST

-Appealing for peace, Pawar said such situations need to be defused patiently by those in political and social spheres without any provocative speeches being made.

08:04 IST

-NCP chief Sharad Pawar blamed the administration for Tuesday's violence and demanded a probe into the incident.

07:59 IST

-The Mumbai Police too issued a statement appealing to people not to believe in rumours and verify facts with the police before posting anything on social media.

07:58 IST

Heavy security was deployed in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.

07:57 IST

-Protests were also held in Kolhapur, Parbhani, Latur, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Hingoli, Kolhapur, Nanded and Thane districts, reports said.

07:56 IST

-Hundreds of protesters gathered in Priyadarshini, Kurla, Sidharth Colony and Amar Mahal areas on the Eastern Express Highway, took out processions and raised slogans against the government and the administration.

07:56 IST

Protesters staged a rail roko in Chembur. Groups of protesters held demonstrations in Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi, according to police.

07:55 IST

-In Mumbai, protesters disrupted road traffic in the suburbs and local train services on the Harbour Line. They blocked roads in several areas, forced shops to shut down, and also attacked a journalist of a television news channel.

07:54 IST

-Congress president Rahul Gandhi called the event to celebrate the Bhima-Koregaon battle as a "potent symbol" of resistance to RSS-BJP's "fascist vision".

07:53 IST

-Rajnath Singh was told that everything was under control and all possible efforts are being made to restore normalcy, sources in the Home Ministry told PTI.

07:52 IST

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too spoke to Fadnavis by phone from New Delhi to take stock of the situation.

07:51 IST

-Fadnavis said a Rs 10-lakh compensation would be given to kin of the youth killed and his death would be probed by the CID.

07:50 IST

-He said it needed to be ascertained if there was a conspiracy behind Monday's violence.

07:49 IST

-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who ordered a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court into the Pune violence, had appealed for calm.  

07:49 IST

-Over 160 buses were damaged in Mumbai by rampaging protesters over 100 of whom were detained, police said.

07:48 IST

-In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.

07:47 IST

-Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead.

07:46 IST

-Several towns and cities in Maharashtra were on edge on Tuesday as Dalit protests against Monday's deadly violence in Pune spilled over to capital Mumbai, with agitators damaging scores of buses, and disrupting road and rail traffic.

07:45 IST

He had called for a 'Maharashtra bandh' to protest against the government's "failure" to stop the violence.

07:44 IST

The call for bandh has been made by Prakash Ambedkar, the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader and grandson of BR Ambedkar.