Telecom companies have suspended internet services in Navi Mumbai following the Mumbai bandh called by Maratha groups on Wednesday, demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions. The bandh was later called off mid-way following incidences of violence including attacks on vehicles and pelting of stones at local trains.
All the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) suspended data services, while voice services continued uninterrupted, from Thursday morning following instructions from the government. SMS services have also been temporarily suspended, telecom companies confirmed to BusinessLine.
The services will remain suspended till 12.00 noon Friday, or till further orders from the government, they added.
Messages sent to users said that services will resume once the ISPs get directions from the government. By Wednesday afternoon, the Maratha Kranti Morcha, which has been spearheading the agitation, called off the bandh. However, it continued in the city’s outskirts, affecting traffic on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, and on the Mumbai-Goa highway.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a statement that he was ready to hold talks with the leaders of the community. His government had agreed in principle to provide caste-based reservations to Marathas.