It was not a happy new year for few a people in Maharashtra.
Violent clashes erupted between Dalits and right-wing groups in Pune over an event marking the 200th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle.
One person was killed in the riots, vehicles were burned, houses were damaged, and people involved resorted to vandalism.
The second day of the year saw no relief as Dalit groups are out on the streets staging ‘Rasta Roko’ protests in different parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai. Mumbai’s Chembur, Mulund areas have been affected the most by the protests. Tense atmosphere, massive traffic jams and disrupted railway services are what many Mumbaikars are experiencing this new year.
Local train services on the Harbour line — between Chembur and Govandi stations — have been due to protests by a local party. Train operations were disrupted by protesters at Chembur, Bhandup, Vikhroli and Kurla other than at Chembur.
Watch Kshipra Narain live from Mumbai–
Please maintain peace #chembur #Mumbai #MaharashtraCasteClash pic.twitter.com/Fs3ZybZSVu
— mohit raj (@georgian4121) January 2, 2018
Straight from the affected area #chembur #Mumbai #MaharashtraCasteClash pic.twitter.com/mNiav1Zecw
— mohit raj (@georgian4121) January 2, 2018
“Bhima Koregaon Violence in Mumbai: Traffic jams choke Chembur, Ghatkopar and other areas; Harbour Line trains affected https://t.co/KJYqBa2TgX pic.twitter.com/6R0XYOLmkR“
— Pradeep.P.Yadav (@rtiindiapy) January 2, 2018