Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
Six people were killed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan as protests over the SC/ST Atrocities Act turned violent. Curfew was imposed in at least three towns in Madhya Pradesh, including Morena, Bhind and Gwalior. MP, UP, and Punjab have requested aid from Central forces.The agitation led by Dalits across the country on 2 April, saw the state police intervening at several places, including Meerut, Ranchi, Agra, Barmer, Yamunanagar, and Bhind.
In Punjab, schools and colleges remained shut, with the CBSE postponing class 10 and class 12 board examinations that were scheduled for 2 April in the state, to 11 April.
The Centre, however, filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s judgment on Monday.
Six people have died in clashes in MP, UP and RajasthanWest Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and BSP Chief Mayawati voiced support for the protests, but urged peace
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called for restoring law and order
Section 144 imposed in many parts of UP, MP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab
Police intervened in protests in Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and other areas following reports of violence
Internet services remained suspended in parts of Rajasthan, MP and Punjab, on 2 April
Dalits called for Bharat Bandh to protest against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Atrocities Act
Also Read: Dilution of SC/ST Atrocities Act: What Is the Top Court’s Message?
One Dead in Rajasthan’s Alwar, Death Toll Climbs to Six
Vehicles set on fire by a group of protesters in Meerut on 2 April 2018.
One person was killed and 26 others, including nine policemen, were injured in Khairthal in Rajasthan’s Alwar district during protests, officials said.
The 28-year-old deceased was identified as, Pawan Jatav, son of a former sarpanch.
The body has been sent for post-mortem, principal medical officer of Alwar district hospital, Dr Bhagwan Sahay said.
Eighteen others injured were undergoing treatment at the hospital, including one policemen, Sahay said.
Over 100 Trains Affected, Routes Restored
Hundreds of protesters block the railway track during Bharat Bandh call by Dalit organisations in Aligarh on 2 April.Over 100 passenger and mail train services were affected and two trains, including a Shatabdi, were short-terminated as protesters squatted on the tracks in protest.
“There were some incidents of gathering of agitators at Firozpur, Hapur, Moradabad, Ghaziabad yard (Gaushala), but there was no damage to railway property. Stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from one or two places, but no passenger or railway personnel was hurt.” – Nitin Chowdhury, Spokesperson, Northern Railways
Protesters also blocked rail and road traffic and resorted to violence in Rajasthan, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
The railways said across its zones, the protesters started gathering at the rail yards since early morning.
RSS: Law Must Be Complied With
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh issued a statement condemning the protests and violence surrounding the dilution of the SC/ST Act. The outfit also added that people should refrain from indulging in violence, and that the Centre had initiated legal process against the apex court’s order on the provisions of the SC/ST Act.
1 More Dead in UP, Death Toll at Five
One person was reported dead from Uttar Pradesh, the DIG Law and Order said DIG, Law and Order, Praveen Kumar said that one person in UP had been killed, with three more seriously injured.
A bike set on fire by a group of protesters during Bharat Bandh call given by Dalit organisations against the alleged dilution of SC/ST Act, in Meerut on 2 April 2018.
Around 35 to 40 policemen and as many as 30 to 35 protesters have been injured in clashes between police and protesters, DIG, Law and Order, Praveen Kumar said
Kumar added that at least 448 people were detained in Uttar Pradesh following incidents of violence.
States Must Act to Ensure Safety of People and Property: MHA
The Ministry of Home Affairs said states have been asked to take preventive steps and maintain public order, to ensure the safety of lives and property,
The MHA added that it was “closely monitoring” the situation and remains in touch with states. Meanwhile, protests reached the streets of Delhi. Protesters gathered outside the Parliament’s doorstep, as can be seen below.
800 Rapid Action Force Policemen Sent to UP, MP to Rein in Violence
The Centre rushed 800 anti-riot policemen to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh after violent protests erupted during the nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been sent to Meerut and one company each to Agra and Hapur (all in UP), a home ministry official said
A company of RAF comprises around 100 personnel.
Two companies each of the RAF have been sent to Bhopal and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to assist the state administration in tackling the situation.
