Though affecting normal life in a few quarters of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, the call for a nationwide anti-quota ‘bandh’ on Tuesday, 10 April, largely evoked a lukewarm response and passed off peacefully.
The nationwide 'bandh' was called by several groups, who are opposed to caste-based reservations in education and jobs, largely through social media.
Over 100 people were detained in Bihar, curfew and prohibitory orders were imposed in several places, and mobile internet services in places like Jaipur and Jalore in Rajasthan.
Tuesday's call for nationwide shutdown was widely seen a retaliation to the 'Bharat Bandh' called by several Dalit groups on 2 April.
- 30 CRPF companies had been deployed across states to check law and order
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued an advisory on 9 April to strengthen security
- 127 people were arrested in Bihar with clashes being reported from Arrah and Manpur
- The protests had no impact in Uttar Pradesh, the police said
- Section 144 was imposed in parts of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh
- Internet services had been suspended in Jaipur and Jalore in Rajasthan
- Arson was reported from Punjab’s Ferozepur
Anti-Quota Strike: More Than 100 People Detained in Bihar
More than 100 people were taken into custody from various parts of the state after clashes broke out between the supporters of the 'Bharat Bandh' and pro-reservation groups, officials said.
A nationwide 'bandh' was called today by several groups, who are opposed to the caste-based reservations in education and jobs, largely through social media.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Mithilesh Kumar told PTI Lakho outpost in-charge Balmukund and a reporter of a local newspaper were among those injured in the violence.
Normal life was hit in parts of Bihar, with ‘bandh’ supporters squatting on railway tracks near Ara, Bihiya and Koilwar stations to stop train services.
Of the 100 people detained, 70 were from Ara, the district headquarters town of Bhojpur, an official said.
Mixed reaction to anti-quota strike in Rajasthan
A nationwide strike against caste-based reservations in education and jobs evoked a mixed response in Rajasthan, with the authorities imposing prohibitory orders and blocking mobile internet services in the state capital to prevent any violence.
In some parts of the state including Jaipur, shops and business establishments remained shut and private schools were closed.
"The situation in the state is peaceful," ADG (Law and Order) NRK Reddy told PTI.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were imposed in places including Jaipur, Hindaun, Karauli, Gangapur, Barmer, Siwana, Jaitaran. Mobile internet services were blocked in Jaipur and Jalore. District police chiefs and collectors were asked to take prompt action in case of any untoward incident, the officer said.
Markets were shut in Jaipur, Kotputali, Sambhar, Jhalawar and in many other towns of the state.
'No Impact of Bharat Bandh in UP'
The "Bharat bandh" called by some groups against caste-based reservations in jobs and education had no impact in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday with life remaining by and large normal across the state, a senior police officer told PTI.
"There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state and life was normal," Deputy Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar told reporters.
In state capital Lucknow, life was normal with traders opening their shops and vehicles plying on the roads.
The Centre had on Monday advised all the states to beef up security. Fourteen companies of the CRPF were deployed in UP.
CBSE Class 10 and 12 Exams in Punjab to Be Held on 27 April
CBSE to conduct Class 10 and 12 exam for Punjab on 27 April after they could not be held due to Bharat Bandh protests on 2 April.