Bharat Bandh: States Beef up Security, Sec 144 Imposed In Jaipur

The government said that the districts magistrates and SPs will be personally held responsible for any violence.

Members of the Dalit community raise slogans during the Bharat Bandh organised to protest against the dilution of the SC/ST Act, in New Delhi on 2 April.

(Photo: ANI)

Section 144 has been imposed in Jaipur ahead of the Bharat Bandh called by various groups on Tuesday, 10 April. Sanjay Aggarwal, Commissioner of Jaipur Police, told ANI that no procession or dharna will be allowed and that strict action would be taken against offenders.

Internet services have also been suspended by the district magistrate in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur from 6 pm Monday, 9 April, to 6 pm Tuesday, to avoid any kind of instigation of violence, reported ANI. Classes for students of class 1 to 9 in all schools in Firozabad have also been called off as a precautionary measure.

Various state authorities are taking similar steps after the Centre on Monday advised all states to beef up security and prevent violence during the Bharat Bandh called by some groups on Tuesday.

According to ANI, security was also tightened in Bhopal. Police patrolling also began in Rajasthan’s Alwar.

Security has been beefed up in Bhopal after the Home Ministry’s advisory.(Photo: ANI)

Police vehicles patrolling in Bhopal ahead of Bharat bandh on Tuesday, 10 April.(Photo: ANI)

MHA Advisory

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said districts magistrates and superintendents of police would be personally held responsible for any violence in their area of jurisdiction.

The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country, leading to the death of about a dozen people.

Police vans patrol Alwar, Rajasthan.(Photo: ANI)

"The MHA has advised the states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, including issue of prohibitory orders, if necessary," the official said.

The states have been asked to intensify patrolling in all sensitive locations so as to prevent any loss of life or damage to property.

"The advisory stressed that district magistrates and superintendents of police be made personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control in the areas of their jurisdiction," the official said.

While the 2 April Bharat Bandh was called by groups opposing the alleged dilution of SC/ST (prevention of of atrocities) Act by a Supreme Court order, Tuesday’s protest is being reportedly called by people opposed to caste-based reservations in jobs and education.