Vidarbha Shutdown Receives Voluntary Response
A shutdown called by all parties in Vidarbha to press for separate statehood of the region has been by and large peaceful receiving voluntary in the entire region, PTI reported citing officials.
Report said that there were stray incidences of stone pelting on city buses at three places in Nagpur and one at Bhandara bus stand.
A number of pro-Vidarbha activists stopped the Mumbai-Gondia Vidarbha Express at Badnera in Amravati district but after 30 minutes delay, allowed it to proceed, said report.
Report said that all the educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed in busy commercial areas in Sadar, Sitabuldi, Dharampeth, Mahal and Itwari.
In addition, city buses and private buses were off the roads so as the autorickshaws, said report.
Police claimed 90 per cent shutdown in Nagpur range and Nagpur rural, with reports suggesting near total shutdown in other parts of Vidarbha including naxal-infested Gadchiroli, said report.
Shutdown call has been given by all parties including Congress, NCP, BJP, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh, RPI, Samajwadi Party, Shetkari Sanghatana, Swantratra Bharat Paksha, Gondwana Gantantra Party and other smaller parties.
Shiv Sena remained neutral while leftists and MNS stayed away from the bandh call.
Prominent leaders Vilas Muttemwar, Datta Meghe (both Congress MPs), former MPs Banwarilal Purohit (BJP), Naresh Pugalia(Congress), Jambuwantrao Dhote, Prakash Ambedkar (BBMS), former MPCC chief Ranjeet Deshmukh, besides MLAs present and past are on the forefront of separate Vidarbha agitation.
