JAIPUR: The Bharat Bandh protests turned violent on Monday after demonstrators clashed with law enforcement agencies across the state. Reports of lathicharge emerged from Jaipur, Bharatpur, while and in Barmer police resorted to use of tear gas shells. The bandh was called over Supreme Court's verdict on Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.


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In Barmer, cars and property were damaged during the protests. Demonstrators gathered around Chouhan Chowk and created a ruckus. In the classes, police personnel were injured leading to the use of tear gas to dispel the mob.



Meanwhile, in Jaipur, protesters stopped a train:



In Bharatpur, women and children – armed with lathis – came out to block the roads.



Reports of violence and clashes emerged from across the state. In Jaisalmer, shops and marketplaces remained closed.


The Bharat Bandh was called against the Supreme Court's order to dilute the stringent provisions mandating immediate arrest under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities (POA) Act. These protesting groups say the order will clamp down on their rights and will be used against them. They, as well as many social commentators, fear that instances reporting crimes against SCs and STs will also come down as a result of the modification.


 


With agency inputs