Balasaheb Thackeray dead: Sena, police appeal for peace

The Shiv Sena urged people to maintain peace and stay calm after the death of party chief Balasaheb Thackeray, who breathed his last at 3.30 pm on Saturday. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that Thackeray's body would be kept for 'darshan' at Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai on Sunday. He also asked party workers to not gather at 'Matoshree' - Bal Thackeray's residence in Mumbai.

Also Read:

Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray passes away

Balasaheb Thackeray: The mascot of Marathi pride

Obituary: The man who ran Mumbai with iron fist

PM condoles Thackeray's death, cancels dinner with BJP

Shops in several areas shut down as the news of Thackeray's death spread. People were stranded in several areas as many taxis and auto rickshaws also went off road. The Mumbai police said that over 20,000 police personnel had been deployed across Mumbai to avoid any law-and-order problem. The entire state of Maharashtra has been put on high alert for the next 24 hours.

"People should maintain peace and should not lose calm. We should carry on the thoughts of Shiv Sena chief," Raut said. He added that the party workers would be able to pay last respects to the Shiv Sena supremo from 7.00 am on Sunday at Shivaji Park.

Shivaji Park was the place where the very first rally of Shiv Sena was held, and where Thackeray held his annual Dussehra rallies year after year. This year, however, he had not been able to attend the event because of ill-health.