Bharat Bandh violence: Special forces to be deployed in Madhya Pradesh

The Bharat Bandh called by Dalit outfits turned violent in many states on Monday including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Seven people were killed in Madhya Pradesh alone following which Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured strict action against the perpetrators. Two people were killed in Uttar Pradesh and one died in Rajasthan. Both rail and road traffic were disrupted as protesters blocked highways and railway lines and set fire to public property

Sixteen additional companies of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), four companies of the Royal Air Force (RAF), two companies of the Special Task Force (STF) and 3000 trainee constables are to be deployed across Madhya Pradesh in the wake of violent protests which erupted during the nationwide bandh on April 2.

The Army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab on Monday.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits assembly of more than four people in an area, has been imposed in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Internet has been suspended in Meerut till 2 pm as a precautionary measure.

The Supreme Court had, on March 20, introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act while directing that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law. The Centre on Monday filed a review petition in the top court to reconsider its order. 

The nationwide bandh was called by Dalit outfits against the top court's ruling that allegedly dilutes the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

On March 20, the top court had introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the SC/ST Act while directing that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law.The Centre on Monday filed a review petition in apex court to reconsider its order. 

(With inputs from agencies)