Normal life unaffected in Maharashtra, non-BJP parties stage protests

Mumbai: Commercial establishments and local transport were operating as usual and normal life remained unaffected across Maharashtra on Monday even as various non-BJP parties held demonstrations and bike rallies in parts of the state in support of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre's three farm laws

In Mumbai, Congress workers, holding placards, assembled at some places like Andheri and Jogeshwari and shouted slogans against the farm bills, but shops and other commercial establishments were open as usual and traffic movement was normal, they said.

According to a police official, no additional security force was deployed in the city so far, but a decision on the deployment of extra police personnel may be taken later depending on the situation and programmes of political parties.

The police have also not barricaded major junctions and roads, which is otherwise a normal feature during bandhs, and so far no additional security forces have been called from outside the district.

There was no major protest or any untoward incident in the city so far, officials said.