With thousands of protestors camping in South Mumbai, security forces erected three-tier barricades around the state secretariat, while policemen stood guard at every entry point. Vehicular movement near Mantralaya was brought to a halt as police sealed off Madame Cama Road from both ends.
The Mantralaya in Mumbai’s Nariman Point, the nerve centre of Maharashtra’s administration, was turned into a fortress on Monday as the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil entered its fourth day. With thousands of protestors camping in South Mumbai, security forces erected three-tier barricades around the state secretariat, while policemen stood guard at every entry point.
Vehicular movement near Mantralaya was brought to a halt as police sealed off Madame Cama Road from both ends. Free Press Journal Marg, which connects Vidhan Bhavan to Mantralaya, was closed, while traffic on General Jagannath Bhosle Road leading to YB Chavan Centre was also suspended. The measures were put in place to prevent protestors from storming the secretariat premises as Jarange’s agitation continued to gather steam.
Meanwhile, BEST has diverted several bus routes since early morning to ease congestion. Services on Jagannath Bhosale Marg, D N Road, and Mahapalika Marg have been rerouted through alternative junctions like Sant Sewalal Chowk, Rambhau Salaskar Marg, and M.G. Road.