``We've already incurred losses of Rs 15 lakhs, though we're not even responsible for the water crisis,'' Chairman of the BEST committee Arvind Nerkar told Express Newsline.

The undertaking could not continue to put its staff at risk, the chairman said, adding that services would resume from Monday only after the situation calmed down. The BEST operates around 25 buses on routes no 707, 708 and 709 in the area. Of the two buses attacked by the mobs, one was completely gutted and is unsalvageable.

He said that the BEST plied buses to the area as part of their social responsibility, even though their jurisdiction extended only up to the city limits in Dahisar.

Bhayander's residents responded with mixed reactions to the suspension. ``It will inconvenience students who are appearing for their SSC and HSC exams,but the BEST may have been right in a way to suspend services, since there are so many stone-throwing incidents still being reported in Bhayander (E),'' says Bhayander resident Sharada Soneji.