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Bharat Bandh: Protests by Dalit groups over SC/ST Act on April 2, 2018 - As it happened
The bandh is being supported by several Dalit groups.
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At least nine persons have been killed and hundreds injured during the nationwide bandh.
In Madhya Pradesh, at least six persons have died, while two persons died in Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan, PTI reported.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has directed the security forces to stay on alert in view of the "volatile situation" prevailing in some of the neighbouring states.
Few unfortunate incidents took place today. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony, and not pay attention to rumours. It is government's responsibility to ensure safety and security of all sections of the society, says MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Also Read: Rajnath Singh appeals for peace, says 'deeply pained by violence'
Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar says the Supreme Court and the Centre were responsible for Monday's violence in various states during the nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.
"Government and the SC are responsible for this violence. The government is creating an unsafe atmosphere for Dalit communities while the apex court's recent order diluting the SC/ST Atrocities Act has forced the community to take to streets," the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar said.
Also Read: Over 100 trains disrupted as Dalit groups protest over SC/ST Act
The Centre rushes 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. While eight companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were sent to Uttar Pradesh, four companies were dispatched to Madhya Pradesh and three to Rajasthan, a Home Ministry official said, PTI reported. An RAF company consists of around 100 personnel.
Many people have been detained across all districts in Rajasthan. Internet services was suspended and section 144 was imposed in certain districts, says DGP.
Two more deaths have been reported. One from UP's Muzaffarnagar and one from Rajasthan's Alwar, as per reports.
Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje appeals for peace, says 'our government is committed to the protection of the rights of SCs and STs.
Also Read: Mayawati supports protests against SC/ST Act, condemns violence
I support the protest against the SC/ST Act. I have got to know that some people spread violence during the protests, I strongly condemn it. Our party is not behind the violence during the protests, says BSP chief Mayawati.
Centre sends four companies to MP and UP. Four RAF companies also deployed in Meerut, Hapur, Agra, Gwalior and Bhopal.
Police lathicharges protesters in Haryana's Yamunanagar during Bharat Bandh.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Police lathicharges protesters in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a>'s Yamunanagar. <a href="https://t.co/a6mWooQbOX">pic.twitter.com/a6mWooQbOX</a></p>— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980752931652857857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Bus vandalized and set ablaze during Bharat Bandh protest in Azamgarh.
Vehicles set ablaze in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar
Bharat Bandh: RJD leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav with MLAs stage a protest against the alleged 'dilution' of the SCs/STs Act by Supreme court, at Bihar Assembly in Patna on Monday (PTI photo)
At least 19 people were injured in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, out of which two are in critical condition. Internet service have been blocked in Gwalior district till 6:00 am on Tuesday.
Another person died in Gwalior during the clashes. Curfew has been implemented in six areas. More details awaited
Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh
"Delhi Police is alert. We have adequate police deployment at places & senior officials are also present in the field. All steps will be taken to maintain law and order," Deependra Pathak, Spokesperson, Delhi Police on Bharat Bandh over SC/ST protection act
One person died in Madhya Pradesh's Morena - some 450 kilometres from the state capital of Bhopal - after police resorted to preventive firing at a group of demonstrators protesting against the dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act following a Supreme Court order. Rahul Pathak was reportedly standing on the balcony of his house in an area where demonstrators clashed with police personnel. To ensure law and order situation did not deteriorate, police officials fired warning shots - one bullet hitting Rahul. Read more
In the ongoing clashes between the law enforcement agencies and demonstrators in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, the police fired at the mob, leading to the death of one person identified as Rahul Pathak
"The central and state governments are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC & ST. I appeal to all to not disturb the law & order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to govt's notice," said UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
Clashes erupted between protestors and police in Jharkhand's Ranchi:
"I wish to convey that today we've filed a petition on the judgement by Supreme Court on the SC/ST act. We have filed a comprehensive review petition which will be presented before the court by the senior lawyers of the government," said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
Centre files review petition against Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act
Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi:
Now protests get violent in Bihar's Barmer
Protest turns violent in Meerut with cars damaged
Protestors in Rajasthan's Bharatpur:
Protestors stop train in Patiala
Clashes erupted between Bhim Sena and Bajrangal Dal in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind.
In Bihar, thousands of Dalit members staged protests with posters, banners and flags. Supporters of the Bhim Army and other Dalit organisations, halted over a dozen long-distance trains, and as a result, passengers were stranded at Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Bhagalpur, Ara, Darbhanga, Araria, Nalanda and Hajipur railway stations.
Reports of violence emerging from Agra with protestors vandalising property near railway station.
Protestors at Forbesganj Junction in Bihar
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Protesters stop train at Forbesganj Junction. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NZr0LlTFQ6">pic.twitter.com/NZr0LlTFQ6</a></p>— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980655375312740357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Protestors stop trains in Bihar's Arrah
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BharatBandh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BharatBandh</a> over SC/ST protection act: Different groups including CPIML activists protest in Bihar's Arrah, block a train <a href="https://t.co/ss4jn1C4ak">pic.twitter.com/ss4jn1C4ak</a></p>— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980645758931218434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule called out her own government at the Centre over the recent increase in crimes against Dalits at a massive rally in Lucknow on Sunday.
Tejashwi Yadav tweeted, "Our party @RJDforIndia is totally out in full support of #BharatBandh against the dilution of SC/ST Act by Modi Govt."
"Review petition by the Government against the SC judgement on SC/ST Protection Act shall be filed positively on tomorrow, Monday, April 2," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted on Sunday.
Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) informed their support for the Bharat Bandh. Lalu Yadav's son and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav wrote on Twitter, "The RJD supports the support Bharat Bandh in relation to SC / ST Act. Modi Government wants to change the Constitution. Atrocities are going on in the country with the Dalits. Now, it's time to teach the anti-dalit-backward-poor BJP a lesson."
"Of course a review petition (of SC/ST protection act) should be filed and its the right of the Government, it is a legal procedure. The basic question is to why they were unable to present the case properly before SC and lost, inquiry needed," says Congress leader AM Singhvi tells news agency ANI.
Heavy layer of security across Amritsar.
What exactly is the SC/ST Act and why is it controversial? Read here
Punjab government has declared closure of all educational institutions and suspension of mobile Internet services in the state. Punjab Chief Secretary Karan A Singh wrote to the Secretary of Department of Defence, saying, "Army in Punjab to remain ready for any eventuality as state govt may need their assistance in maintaining law and order during bandh called by several Dalit organisations against amendment of SC/ST Act."
Movement of train in Odisha's Sambalpur was affected after protesters blocked the train line against Supreme Court's decision on SC/ST Protection Act BharatBandh
Following the call for nationwide Bharat Bandh, the CBSE Board papers for Classes X and XII, scheduled to be held on Monday, have been postponed in Punjab.
"Supreme Court`s decision on SC/ST Protection Act would not be able to provide justice to the suppressed people, and those accused and deserving of punishment would be saved. Union government took cognizance of it, and the Law Ministry with our ministry, took the decision that review petition will be filed against the court`s decision," Gehlot told ANI.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot also confirmed that the Centre will file a review petition against Supreme Court`s decision on Monday
"What is the point of organising a Bharat Bandh? The government is positively going to file the review petition," Paswan told ANI.
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday raised question over all-India bandh against the Supreme Court`s ruling on the SC/ST Act, while saying that Centre is positively going to file the review petition
New Delhi: Violence erupted in many states across India as Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles during a nationwide bandh against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Transport, mobile and internet services were hit in many states with over 100 trains getting affected due to protests, even as the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking review of its recent judgement on the SC/ST Act, maintaining that the verdict will violate constitutional rights of these communities.
While some states had ordered the closure of educational institutions as a precautionary measure, incidents of arson, firing and vandalism were reported from MP, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab, among other places.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure the safety of lives and property.
What exactly is the SC/ST Act and why is it controversial? Read here