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Nearly 250 activists were detained in Bombay and adjoining Thane on Wednesday for obstructing rail traffic even as Maharashtra observed a near total bandh in response to a call given by trade unions, the Shiv Sena and Left parties to condemn the economic reform policies of the NDA government at the Centre.
While local trains were running smoothly in the early morning hours, the railway police control said attempts were made to stop movement of trains near Marine Lines station on the Western Railway, at Kalyan, Elphinstone Road and Mulund stations on the Central Railway and Cotton Green on the Harbour line.
At Jogeshwari station, police had to resort to a lathicharge when Shiv Sena activists tried to obstruct rail traffic.
At all these places police cleared the tracks of the agitators within a few minutes.
However, movement of long distance trains was affected and passengers were stranded on various stations with their luggage.
In another incident, an Asian Age reporter was assaulted, allegedly by Shiv Sainiks at Elphinstone Bridge. The reporter, Vaibhav Purandare, was travelling in an office car along with two other reporters, covering the bandh, when he was attacked.
The bandh has been called by all labour unions cutting across party affiliations, except those affiliated to the BJP. The Shiv Sena, a coalition partner of the NDA government, is actively participating in the bandh.
Apprehending trouble, Bombayites preferred to stay indoors enjoying the unofficial holiday, as BEST buses went totally off the roads along with autorickshaws and taxis.
Even though it was stated that essential services would not be exempted from the bandh, milk supply, fire brigade, hearse, ambulance, newspapers have been left out, according to Subhas Desai, senior leader and spokesperson of the Shiv Sena.
Banks, offices, industrial units and commercial establishments wore a deserted look as the strength of the staff was extremely thin.
Some autos and taximen fleeced early morning commuters charging exorbitant fares.
Air India, Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operated flights as per a revised schedule in view of the bandh, airport sources said. Passengers reported for early morning flights departing out of Bombay by all the three carriers, they said.
AI had rescheduled three flights, Bombay to Riyadh via Delhi (AI 825), Abu Dhabi via Delhi-Dubai (AI 765) and Bombay-Dammam, an airline release said.
The flights from Bombay to Dubai via Madras, Dubai via Bangalore, New York via Delhi-London, Jakarta via Madras-Singapore operated as per schedule.
The rescheduled Riyadh flights departed at 0900 hours (IST) (against 1615 hours) and 0500 hours (1830 hours), the release said. <>Some flights have been rescheduled for Thursday.
A Jet Airways spokesman said the airline would operate 33 out of its 56 flights from Bombay.
Indian Airlines has already announced curtailment of flights with other services being combined or cancelled.
Tight security is being maintained in Bombay and other parts of state to ensure that there was no law and order problem, police added.
Meanwhile, the state police control informed that the bandh was peaceful elsewhere in the state.
In adjoining Thane, the buses and autorickshaws were off the roads while local trains were running half an hour behind schedule.
In Thane rural region, police said state transport buses were plying, though there were fewer private vehicles on the roads. New Bombay was also peaceful.
The 24-hour bandh evoked a partial response in Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra.
While major shops and business establishments were closed, the smaller shops and eating-houses were open during the morning hours.
A few city buses were seen plying and so also cycle rickshaws and autorickshaws, which was a big relief to passengers coming into the city by rail from different directions.
Even petrol pumps were open. There were no reports of any untoward incidents.
Agencies
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