Long-suffering Mumbaikars will be pushed over the edge yet again, with the countrywide bandh called over price rise, on Monday, showing all signs of being a resounding success.
Opposition parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Republican Party of India have decided to adopt the tried and trusted formula of targeting trains to bring Mumbai to a grinding halt.
On Monday morning, all distance trains entering the city between 7 and 7.30am will be the first target. Party workers have urged shops and establishments to down shutters and come out on to the streets.
The group of workers deployed to carry out ‘rail roko’ operations have already conducted rehearsals to identity train services along the stated routes. The stations masters and staff have also been sounded out. They have been told to stay away or face the consequences of the angry agitators.”
Sources said, “Once we force long distance trains along central and western lines to halt on the tracks, it will automatically block routes for other trains. Local train services along western, central and harbour lines will be adversely affected.”
The cadre has been told to target public and private transport, including taxis, autorickshaws and buses, to paralyse commercial activities in the city.
The Sena and MNS have decided to focus on Dadar, Bandra, Vile Parle, Lower Parel, Parel, Lalbaug, Thane, Kalyan, Andheri, Sewri, Goregaon, Dombivli, and other areas.
BJP leader Gopinath Munde said, “We don’t want violence. We are confident that the people will participate in the strike because it is an issue that affects them directly. The price hike cannot be justified at any cost.”
The Sena says, “The government’s decision to approach the court against the strike amounts to silencing the people in a democracy.”
Chief minister Ashok Chavan plans to counter the strike effectively by deploying additional police force to maintain law and order and the smooth running of transport.
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