BEST worst hit by political protests

More than a fourth of the BEST fleet has been damaged during demonstrations by supporters of parties such as Shiv Sena,Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party.

Since 2008,1,231 of the 4,600 BEST buses have been torched or stoned in 17 protests,eight of which were organised by supporters of political parties,causing a loss of Rs 23.4 lakh.

“We have to write to Mumbai Police and the money is recovered through the (district) collector. We have written to the collector claiming damages for the last two-three incidents but haven’t received anything yet,” a BEST official said.

Such violent protests also affect commuters as damaged buses are taken off roads for a few days for repairs.

“Whenever a protest or bandh is called,no political party actually orders supporters to damage buses. However,the mentality is to damage buses to get media attention. More often than not,those who do not get mass public support to protests resort to such tactics,” said MNS member Kedar Hombalkar,who is also on the BEST committee.

He said parties should arrive at a consensus that organisations such as BEST should not be targeted during protests and the state government should ensure additional protection to the utility in sensitive situations.

BUSES BEAR THE BRUNT

August 11,2012: 50 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of

Rs 4,05,964 when a rally called by the Raza Academy at Azad Maidan turned into a riot

May 31,2012: During a Bharat Bandh called by the NDA and Left parties against the petrol price hike 156 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 2,97,499

May 19,2012: In a protest over a cartoon on Facebook,five BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 9,333

December 17,2011: Around 100 people,who accused the police of manhandling a person during an Urs procession,clashed with officers in Bandra (west). As many as 19 BEST buses were damaged,causing losses of Rs 1,73,007

November 20,2011: After a distorted image was displayed on a website,14 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 1,57,468

November 14,2011: Members of a BEST union led a protest against the death of a girl in Malvani; 24 buses were damaged,leading to a loss of Rs 20,171

August 18,2011: BEST bus drivers,conductors and other staff responded to a call to strike work by the Sharad Rao-led BEST Workers’ Union. As many as 231 buses were damaged,causing

a loss of Rs 2,27,190

July 5,2010: Activists of the Shiv Sena and BJP disrupted civic life during the 120-hour bandh called by the Opposition to protest against price rise; 347 buses were damaged causing a loss

of Rs 3,68,379

February 12,2010: Shiv Sena supporters staged protests against the release of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name is Khan after the actor’s remarks favouring the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL. As many as 61 BEST buses were damaged,with losses to the tune of Rs 1,36,585

February 5,2010: Shiv Sena supporters protested throughout the city opposing the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai amid a war of words between the two parties on Congress’s remarks about Mumbai being for all Indians. 14 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 44,371

November 9,2009: MNS legislators slapped Samajwadi President Abu Azmi inside the Assembly for taking oath in Hindi instead of Marathi,following which they were suspended. The incident triggered violence in the city during which 20 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 21,944

October 21,2008: MNS president Raj Thackeray was arrested,leading to a spate of violence by his supporters in some parts of the city. As many as 202 buses were damaged,leading to losses of Rs 2,75,851

July 6,2008: A fight broke out between two groups belonging to different communities in Govandi that led to rioting for nearly three hours. Eight BEST buses were damaged,leading to losses of Rs 27,459

July 3,2008: A bandh called by the BJP and VHP to protest against non-transfer of land to the Amarnath

Shrine Board triggered violence in several parts of the country; 16 BEST buses were damaged,leading to a loss of Rs 21,402

February 20,2008: Stones were thrown on 14 buses during an altercation between two groups of the Sikh community,causing a loss of Rs 28,916

February 12,2008: A case was registered against MNS president Raj Thackeray for making provocative statements against North Indians. As the city braced for Raj’s possible arrest,his supporters attacked vendors from UP and Bihar and threw stones on 11 buses,causing a loss of Rs 66,106

January 6,2008: The alleged suicide of Buddhist priest Bhadant Sanghraj Thairo sparked off incidents of arson and stone-pelting in parts of northeast Mumbai as residents cried foul play. As many as 39 BEST buses were damaged,causing a loss of Rs 59,949