Bharat Bandh: MNS workers damage public transport buses in Pune

While the call of Bharat Bandh given by opposition parties is getting a mixed response in the city, the party workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) however, are seen taking an aggressive stance where they damaged a couple of public transport buses in the city. 

The life in the city started as usual on Monday without much effect of Bharat Bandh. The officer goers and students could be seen carrying out their routine work and shops were also opened in the morning. However, after 9 am, protesters hit the streets and forced shopkeepers to shut their shops. Many shopkeepers also decided to pull down the shutters to avoid any damage to their properties.

The MNS party workers, in particular, could be seen aggressively coming on roads and forcing shopkeepers and petrol pump owners to shut down their businesses for a day on Monday. The MNS workers also pelted stones at a couple of buses of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) at Kumthekar road and Market Yard area. 

Speaking to DNA, joint commissioner of police Shivaji Bodkhe said, "So far, a couple of incidents of damages of public transport buses have been reported. The city has witnessed the mixed response to the agitation. The shops and offices are opened. There are some reports that some protesters forced shopkeepers to shut down their shops which we are verifying."

The Congress party has organised a tonga rally in the city to protest against the fuel price hike.