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Bharat Bandh today: Protests by upper caste groups against SC/ST Act

NEW DELHI: The Madhya Pradesh police have stepped up security across the state in view of the ongoing protests against the amendments in the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharat bandh call given by some organisations.* Prohibitive orders have been issued under CrPC in four districts of Madhya Pradesh - Morena, Shivpuri and Bhind, all three in Gwalior-Chambal region, as well as in Ashok Nagar district.* Gwalior-Chambal region, one of the sensitive areas, had witnessed a large-scale violence on April 2 this year during the 'Bharat bandh' enforced by the dalit groups.* The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government had on Tuesday appealed to people to maintain peace.* Makrand Deuskar, IGP (Intelligence) said, "Police headquarters have alerted all the superintendents of police in view of proposed bandh on September 6." He said the police force allotted to the districts on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on Tuesday, would continue to remain deployed.* Brahma Samagam Sawarna Jankalyan Sangathan's national president Dharmendra Sharma said that about 150 organisations of upper castes and OBCs are participating in the bandh against the amendments.* The protesters staged a demonstration on Wednesday outside the bungalows of Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar at Gwalior and MP Bhagirath Prasad at Bhind. The protesters also staged a demonstration at higher education minister Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya's bungalow at Gwalior.* The protesters also showed black flags to Union ministers Thawar Chand Gehlot and M J Akbar at Guna and Vidisha, respectively.* Earlier this year, the SC had removed the strict provision of mandatory arrests under the Act. This decision had triggered nationwide protests by Scheduled Castes organisations, forcing the Centre to bring an amendment to the Act during the Monsoon session to overrule the apex court's order.(With agency inputs)