Maharashtra violence: Prakash Ambedkar calls off bandh, but violence continues

Maharashtra is observing a state-wide bandh on Wednesday after caste-based violence gripped the cities of Mumbai and Pune for two days. Clashes had broken out in Pune's Bhima Koregaon on Monday and Tuesday, prompting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to appeal for peace.

A man had died and over 25 vehicles were torched in the clashes between villagers from Koregaon Bhima, Pabal, and Shikrapur in Pune.

Dr BR Ambedkar's grandson and the convener of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) in Maharashtra, Prakash Ambedkar, had stressed for the bandh after Fadnavis assured that there will a judicial inquiry into the 2-day protests.

Alaso Read: Mumbai violence: How caste sentiments over 200-year-old Bhima Koregaon battle sparked protests [PHOTOS+VIDEOS]

Track the LIVE updates here:

5:43 pm IST: CM Devendra Fadnavis said that inquiry will be conducted about the violence that took place in various parts of Maharashtra.

5:23 pm IST: It seems that even children as young as this one has been "recruited" to cause violence.

5:10 pm IST: Even though the strike has been called off, reports claim that violence is still spreading. In fact, it has reached Gujarat's Surat and Vapi.

4:24 pm IST: Prakash Ambedkar, activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar has called off the Maharashtra bandh.

4:16 pm IST: Deepak Kesarkar, MoS of Maharashtra, has said that, "There has been no death of a person from Dalit community. Wrong messages are being spread on social media, people have to be very cautious. The situation overall is peaceful in Maharashtra". 

3:10 pm IST: Opposition reacts to the remarks by Union Law Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad of Congress says, "We have been raising the issue of Dalit atrocities as this govt is anti-Dalit."

3:09 pm IST: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reprimands the opposition in Rajya Sabha as the latter raised the BhimaKoregaon violence issue. Prasad alleged that the trying to delay a decision on Triple Talaq. 

2:50 pm IST: RSS blames JNU brigade for caste violence in Maharashtra.

2:35 pm IST: The students of the All India Students' Association (AISA) have taken to protesting outside the Maharashtra Sadan and are demanding judicial probe against those responsible for the violence.

2:29 pm IST: Even as situations continue to remain unstable, more security authorities are being pressed into service. According to PTI, Police Shivaji Bodhke said that two companies of the State Reserve Police Force and 250 home guards have been deployed to control the ongoing crisis in Maharashtra.

2:21 pm IST:  Rioters pelted stones at trains between Mankhurd and Govandi stations on the Harbour line, reported Firstpost. Fortunately, no body was injured.

1:48 pm IST: Heavy Police deployment in Aurangabad after stones pelted & vehicles vandalized by protesters.

1:13 pm IST: Rasta Roko protest erupts in Andheri on the Western Express Highway.

1:01 pm IST: AC local services suspended for today while the suburban services are active amidst protests at Elphinstone Rd, Goregaon, Dadar, Malad. There is no cancellation of Long Distance trains.

12:52 pm IST: Rioters destroy Mubai's Electricity Board vehicles.

12:43 pm IST: The Western Railways is slowly crawling back to normalcy.

12:41 pm IST: Mumbai police said, "Avoid using Worli naka. Use Worli sea face road." 

12:40 pm IST: Ananth Kumar, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister has said that Congress is the one who is instigating the protest.

12:38 pm IST: Meanwhile the BJP too has taken a jibe at the Congress and has alleged them of implementing divide and rule policy.

12:36 pm IST: Kharge also took a dig at PM Narendra Modi for his silence on the Maharashtra violence.

12:30 pm IST: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raises the issue in the lower house. He is blaming the RSS for causing violence.

12:26 pm IST: Mumbai police has asked commuters to avoid using the Western Expressway and use SV Road instead.

12:14 pm IST: Meanwhile security has been beefed up in the Maharashtra Sadan.

12:01 pm IST: Vandalisation continues in Maharashtra.

11:50 am IST: Metro services between Asalfa and Ghatkopar Metro station stopped by protesters.

11:41 am IST: Protesters force shut the shops at NM Joshi Marg in Mumbai.

11:39 am IST: Protests being carried out in the state; visuals from Nagpur's Shatabdi Square.

11:27 am IST: Protesters in huge numbers block the Eastern Express Highway.

10:50 am IST: Security arrangements being made in Pune's Dandekar pool in view of protests over DCP Pravin Mundhe says, 'we appeal all citizens to carry on with their daily routine.

10:41 am IST: Large number of protesters have occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting rail traffic.

10:40 am IST: Visuals of starnded commuters due to less number of auto-rickshaws & other transport in Mumbai.

10:25 am IST: Protesters halt buses, auto-rickshaws at Lal Bahadur Shastri Road in Thane, also deflate bus tyres.

10:16 am IST: CPI leader D. Raja gives zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha over increasing atrocities against Dalits.

10:15 am IST: Opposition includng Congress and Samajwadi Party appeal for adjournment motion notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha.

10:14 am IST: Visuals of interstate buses from Karnataka to Maharashtra being temporarily cancelled.

10:09 am IST: Internet services suspended in Maharashtra's Aurangabad.

10:04 am IST: Protesters gathering at Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony, police personnel also at the site.

9:30 am IST: Educational institutions in Pune remain shut as a result of state-wide Bandh.

9:23 am IST: Visuals of people waiting for autos, buses.

9:17 am IST: Bus services towards Pune's Baramati and Satara suspended till further orders.

8:55 am IST: Mumbai Police issues statement: "Don't believe or spread rumours, continue with your routine activities. Police administration is geared up to deal with any untoward situation."

8:47 am IST: Central Railway spokesperson said, "Few protestors tried to disrupt railway services at Thane but were immediately cleared by RPF and GRP officials. Services are running uninterrupted on Central Railway as of now."

8:34 am IST: Security beefed up at Ghatkopar's Ramabai Colony and Eastern Express Highway.

8:26 am IST: Protesters force stop a train at Thane Railway Station.

8:25 am IST: Section 144 imposed in Maharashtra's Thane till January 4 midnight.

8:00 am IST: Anil Garg, School Bus Owners' Association said, "Won't run school buses in Mumbai today, can't risk students' safety and security."

7:48 am IST: Impact of Bandh seen in Chembur as shops remain shut, streets empty.

7:15 am IST: Mumbai police tweets, "There is a call for bandh in Maharashtra on 3rd January but adequate arrangements have been made so that least inconvenience is caused to Mumbaikars."

CM Fadnavis had also announced an ex-gratia to the victims' kin. The violence in Pune had heated up on Tuesday due to which normal life in Mumbai hit a sudden pause. Dalit groups from across the city gathered and blocked the Eastern Express Highway leading to massive traffic jams.

State-owned buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and Pune Municipal Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) were damaged by the mob as they hurled stones and also set vehicles ablaze at many places.

The Dalits in Mumbai have been backed by BBM leader Ambedkar who on Tuesday evening said that he has three names who spilled the protests. "I am blaming three persons as I had said earlier also. One is Sambaji Bhide, second is Milind Ekgote and third is Mr Ghughesh. I don't know his first name," he said.