Navi Mumbai bandh gets total response

NAVI MUMBAI: The bandh called by all political parties - Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress - excluding the BJP received an overwhelming response since as scheduled on Monday, all shops remained closed since morning. The political leaders met at Datta Mandir in Sanpada to decide the future course of action against Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe's move to demolish houses built by PAPs in Gaothan areas as a necessity out of growth.

At the meeting, a decision was taken to form a core committee to lead the PAP agitation against the NMMC Commissioner. It was decided to seek the intervention of CM Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the dispute.

Though the peaceful protest at the temple premises has been withdrawn, the bandh continued to be observed across the city. The shop establishments including restaurants continued to remain closed. Only the vegetable, onion-potato and fruit markets at the APMC yard remained open as perishable commodities are sold at these galas. Even the emergency services like hospitals and chemist shops remained open and also the passenger transport services like autos, NMMT and BEST buses were plying without the fear of stone pelting incidents, as the agitating PAPs had resorted to peaceful protest against the civic chief's alleged adamant attitude of not giving any respite in the demolition drive against houses in Gaothan areas. The traders at grains and spice markets had to keep their establishments closed in support of the bandh.

Despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing on Sunday, after MLA Manda Mhatre-led delegation met him, that illegally constructed houses in Gaothan areas will not be demolished till the monsoon gets over, the PAPs went ahead with the scheduled bandh called on Monday.

NCP corporator Chandrakant Patil said, "The PAPs are not satisfied by the CM's temporary decision and have demanded a permanent solution to their grievances as after monsoon, the PAPs will again face the mental trauma as the sword of demolition drive will keep hanging over their neck. Hence, in a couple of days, the PAP core committee to be formed will meet the CM and demand a permanent solution to the long pending dispute."

The meeting of all party leaders in the presence of around 200 PAPs got concluded at 1 pm. While the meeting was in progress, a strong police bandobast of around 200 policemen was deployed near the Datta Mandir as a preventive measure in case the protesters indulge in rasta roko to vent their anger against Mundhe's orders of demolition in gaothan areas.

DCP (crime) Dilip Sawant said, "Even the senior police officers like DCP and ACP were deployed on the street to ensure law and order is maintained in the city. The agitators dispered peacefully after the meeting. Still, as a precautionary measure, we had even summoned a State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoon comprising of 150 personnel."