The usually bustling streets of Mumbra wore a deserted look on Saturday as almost all shopkeepers in the town observed a silent protest to express solidarity with the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack on Thursday.
According to Mumbra residents, the decision to keep businesses shut for a day was taken unanimously on Friday and did not meet with any opposition. The residents demanded swift and strong action against those responsible for the dastardly terrorist attack.
Unanimous decision
Maulana Abdul Wahab, president of the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, Mumbra unit, said, “The entire country is grieving for the soldiers who were mercilessly butchered in Pulwama for no fault of theirs. Our hearts go out to their families. We have been praying that Allah accept their martyrdom. The bandh observed on Saturday was simply a gesture of solidarity and protest. Never before have we seen a bandh being observed with such unanimity in this town.”
Residents said that when the proposal to observe the protest was discussed, no one spoke about monetary losses the move would bring to the thriving businesses in the town. The Mumbra–Kausa area has large markets, comprising both wholesale and retail shops, which are visited by people from all over Thane district, especially on weekends.
The town wears a deserted look after traders and autorickshaw associations observed a bandh on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Vibhav Birwatkar
‘Non-violent march’
Kalim Sheikh, who runs Delhi Darbar restaurant and three other eateries in Mumbra, said, “This is not a politically-motivated action. Many of us came up with this decision on our own and within a couple of hours. Everyone was clear about the fact that we had to observe a silent protest and not create any disturbances to the law and order situation.”
All commercial establishments, except medical stores, which were kept open in case of emergencies, were shut till 4.30 p.m. on Saturday. The police had deployed additional units to patrol the area and control any untoward incidents that could hamper the law and order situation.
‘Give fitting reply’
Shamim Khan, president of the Nationalist Congress Party in Mumbra, said, “Our only demand is that the government should take fitting steps to avenge the bloodshed. We also advise those responsible for the attacks that they should not live in fool’s paradise thinking they can get away with this. When revenge comes, it will be swift and harsh.”