The streets were rather deserted and the hawkers’ absence could be felt. All shops too remained closed for business with very little populace being spotted on the road.

Earlier in the month, the police had lathi-charged and used tear gas shells against protestors of the Maratha community demanding reservation which sparked state-wide protests.

Local leaders from the Opposition parties—Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (UBT) and others declared their support or ‘bandh’ called in today and appealed the public to participate in it.

Thane NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) city chief Suhas Desai, Sena (UBT) counterpart Pradeep Shinde, MNS leaders Ravindra More, Avinash Jadhav, Maratha Kranti Morcha’s city chief Ramesh Ambre and Congress city president Vikram Chavan attended a meeting before voicing their support to the bandh.

The Maratha community, since the incident that happened in Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna district, have been staging protests across the state over their demands. Meanwhile, activist Manoj Jarange has hardened his strike