Mumbai: In light of the attacks in Gadchiroli, governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao cancelled the Maharashtra Day events scheduled to take place at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai Wednesday evening.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Mahara-shtra government also asked state officials to switch off the lighting in government buildings. The lights at Mantralaya and Vidhan Bhavan buildings were subsequently switched off.

The governor had organised the reception and cultural programmes for eminent personalities and diplomats on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the state of Maharashtra.

These events now stand cancelled, a statement ssued by Raj Bhavan said.

The reception and programmes were cancelled as a mark of respect for the defence personnel who lost their lives in the Naxal attack in Gadchiroli district, it added.

Maharashtra Day commemorates the formation of the state from the division of the Bombay State, which also comprised the present-day state of Gujarat, on May 1, 1960.