Thane, India: Maharashtra’s Dombivli town observed a bandh on Thursday to protest against the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and mourn the loss of its three residents. Sanjay Lele (50), Hemant Joshi (45) and Atul Mone (43) – three cousins hailing from Dombivli in Thane district were among the 26 persons killed in the deadly terror attack on Tuesday. Their mortal remains were flown in on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. State relief and rehabilitation minister Girish Mahajan is in Srinagar to ensure their smooth travel.

Dombivli residents demand harshest punishment for terrorists

Commercial centres, markets, eateries and shops were shut and vehicles remained off roads in Maharashtra’s Dombivli town on Thursday to mourn the loss of its three residents in the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam town. Majority of the auto-rickshaws, buses as well as private vehicles remained off roads while most of the commercial establishments were kept shut.

Gatherings were seen at the corners of some streets in the town, with people talking about the Pahalgam tragedy and the loss three lives from Dombivli who were their families’ breadwinners.

“Those behind the terror attack should be given the harshest punishment which serves as a deterrent,” said a local resident.

Shops, offices and local markets started closing from Wednesday afternoon as a mark of protest against the terror attack and to express solidarity with families of the victims. The bandh, supported by all major political parties and civil groups, was observed voluntarily by the local residents.

Last rites of Pahalgam terror attack victims in Dombivli

Around 3000 Dombivli residents came together on Wednesday evening to pay their final respect to the three deceased residents and attend their last rites. The mortal remains of Sanjay Lele (50), Hemant Joshi (45) and Atul Mone (43) were flown to Mumbai on Wednesday.

The funeral was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leader Ravindra Chavan and local Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde at Bhagshala Maidan in Dombivli.

Angry slogans against Pakistan were raised as Fadnavis paid floral tributes, with many people demanding a ban on all Pakistani products.