Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Security was beefed up across Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai where 20,000 police personnel were deployed, to keep a tight vigil following the death of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on Saturday.

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"The entire police force is on an alert in Maharashtra. Lakhs of people are expected to visit Mumbai to get a last glimpse of Thackeray," a senior police official at Maharashtra police headquarters said.

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In Mumbai alone, over 20,000 city police, 15 companies of State Reserve Police Force and three contingents of Rapid Action Force have been deployed.

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"The funeral procession will begin at 7 am. We have deployed enough number of police personnel at Sena Bhavan in Dadar, Matoshree in Bandra and at Shivaji Park where the last respects would be paid," Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.

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"I appeal to people to remain calm and maintain law and order. Citizens should step out of the houses only if it is urgent. There would be traffic restrictions, particularly in Bandra and Dadar areas," Singh added.

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The police have made an appeal to motorists to avoid  the Western Express Highway as roads connecting Kalanagar area, where Thackeray's residence is located, have been cordoned off.

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The entire city wore a deserted look as shops, hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments were closed and there was sparse traffic on the streets.

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"We did not ask anybody to keep their shops shut. People are doing it voluntarily," Singh said.

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Appropriate arrangements have been made at Shivaji Park where VIPs are also expected to reach to pay homage on Sunday, Singh added.

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As a precursor to what lies ahead for fliers on Sunday, taxi and auto rickshaw services from the city airports are shut on Sunday.

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City-side services like taxi and auto from the domestic airport at Santacruz and international airport at Sahar in Andheri will not operate on Sunday as a mark of respect for the departed soul, authorities said.

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Meanwhile, Central Railway has cancelled the megablocks on central and harbour line services on Sunday to facilitate people to attend the last rites of the Sena leader.

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Trains and buses were packed to capacity as commuters rushed home on Saturday evening.

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The city had been on the edge since Wednesday night, when news of Thacekray's health condition worsening surfaced for the first time.

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Hotels and cyber cafes were closed near Bhavan's College in Andheri in suburban Mumbai.

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A follower of the Shiv Sena wears a T-shirt with Bal Thackeray's image on it.

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People flock to shops, which started shutting after news of Thackeray's death surfaced, in Andheri to buy goods.

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Shiv sainiks gather at the party's shakha at Andheri.

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The board at the Shiv Sena shakha mourns for the party's tallest leader.

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The police keep a close watch at the shakha to ensure that the situation remains under control.

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Shops elsewhere in Andheri also remained shut.

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The roads near Andheri station, which are usually jam-packed with vehicles, remained deserted.

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