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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
A board at a Shiv Sena 'shakha' mourns the death of Bal Thackeray

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Vehicles pile up at a petrol pump to stock up

"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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Roads in Colaba in southern Mumbai were deserted

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Residents of Colaba in south Mumbai watch as shops shut in the area

"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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Colaba market shuts down after new of Thackeray's death

"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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Sainiks mourn at a Shiv Sena 'shakha'

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
An ambulance with photographs of Bal Thackeray and son Uddhav

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Shops shut down in Mahim, central Mumbai

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Roads were clogged up as people rushed home

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
In Borivali in suburban Mumbai, the news of Thackeray's demise being put up by Sena workers

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
A hoarding wishing passers-by 'Happy Diwali' is brought down

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
Movies playing at Kulraj Broadway, a multiplex at Borivali, were stopped midway

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
A shopkeeper in Santacruz shuts down his shop

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST
'Kandeels' and other Diwali lights were put off by shopkeepers

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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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

Shops elsewhere in Andheri also remained shut.

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Mumbai shuts down after Thackeray's death

Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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

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Last updated on: November 17, 2012 23:08 IST

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