The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi coalition government has called for a 24-hour bandh to show their solidarity with the farmers after the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The Maharashtra Bandh, which has begun from midnight, is an attempt put up a united front against the ruling BJP government at the Centre. NCP, Shiv Sena and the Congress leaders have offered their full-fledged support to the event.
While essential services such as medical stores, milk supply, hospitals etc have been kept out of the Maharashtra Bandh, other markets would not be operated. Meanwhile, Pune’s Agriculture Produce Market Committee has announced that it will participate in the Maharashtra Bandh. In the same line, Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard traders have also asked its members to keep all the shops closed.
“Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association after a request of Shivsena and other party leaders have decided to keep shop close till 4 pm in support of bandh call by Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government in protest of the killing of farmers,” said FRTWA president Viren Shah.
Meanwhile, the NCP, in tweets, called the central government “oppressive” and called for the resignation of Ajay Mishra – the union minister whose son Ashish was arrested on Saturday in connection to the case.
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, “We will oppose attempt to suppress traders, farmers, labourers in the name of band.”
Reacting to the call for Maharashtra Bandh, BJP leader Nitesh Rane said in a tweet, “If shopkeepers r “forced” to close shops Tom by any of the MVA karyakartas.. they will have to face bjp karyakartas! Police shud ensure no one is forced or else there will be a law n order situation which is not our responsibility!!”
As of now, security has been tightened in the state ahead of the shutdown and patrolling will be intensified for the bandh.
