Bharat Bandh against SC/ST Act dilution ruling | UPDATES | Eight killed across nation; Centre buckles to pressure from Dalit groups

At least eight persons were killed and many injured in violence today as Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles across several states during a nationwide bandh against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, officials said.

While six were killed in cross-firing in Madhya Pradesh alone, one each died in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, according to officials there.

Curfew was imposed in several places and hundreds were detained. The Army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab.

The Centre today rushed 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab and asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Bharat Bandh | AS IT HAPPENED: Read full report here

HERE ARE UPDATES:

• Facing pressure from protests, the Central government moved the Supreme Court to seek recall of its judgment that there would be no automatic arrest of an accused following a complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

• Madhya Pradesh: 16 additional companies of SSB, 4 companies of RAF, 2 companies to STF and 3000 trainee constables to be deployed across the state today. (ANI)

• Uttarakhand: Section 144 imposed (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) in Haridwar. (ANI)

• Hapur: All schools and colleges, except those schools conducting board examinations to remain shut tomorrow in lieu of protests over SC/ST protection act today. (ANI)

• Ghaziabad: All schools and colleges, except schools conducting board examinations to remain closed tomorrow following protests over SC/ST protection act today. (ANI)

Bus carrying doctors and nurses from AIIMS Delhi was attacked by protesters on Delhi-Ghaziabad highway (NH-24) near Ghaziabad's Shivpuri during protests over SC/ST Protection Act, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/PLV2nAysHF

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

• The SC/ST/OBC and Minority Joint Action Committee of Odisha supported the Bharat Bandh. However, the strike in the state had a partial impact in some tribal dominated western districts.

• One person was killed and nearly 75 persons including 40 policemen were injured in violent protests today in Uttar Pradesh so far, cops say.

Some police personnel have been injured during #BharatBandh. Situation is under control now, however all districts are still on high alert. We've lathicharged & used water cannon wherever it was needed. No culprit will be spared & strict action will be taken: DIG, Law & Order, UP pic.twitter.com/9lsdUD6nTM

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it was closely monitoring the situation and was in constant touch with the affected states after violent protests erupted during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits.

• The Centre today rushed 1,700 anti-riot police personnel to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab, followed by the widespread violence during the Dalit protests.

• Four people have died, can't confirm number of people injured as yet. Police officials have also got injured. Police is still on field & is trying to restore peace, once that's done we'll file cases & begin inquiry on people who've caused disruption: IG (law &order), Madhya Pradesh.

• More than 100 passenger and mail train services were today affected as protesters squatted on the tracks during the Bharat Bandh. However, as per officials, most of the routes have been restored.

• Additional forces were today deployed across Rajasthan in view of the state-wide protests by Dalits against the dilution of the SC/ST act, police said.

More than 200 people have been detained and we are getting cases registered against them. All conspirators and hooligans involved in anti-social activities will be booked under NSA. There have been no casualties so far: Manzil Saini, SSP Meerut on protests over SC/ST Act pic.twitter.com/bBV6Bgo5z3

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar today supported the Supreme Court's ruling on the SC/ST Act.

• BSP Chief Mayawati condemns the violence in Uttar Pradesh, says her party is not involved with the arsons.

Strict action should be taken against those who spread violence during the protests: BSP Chief Mayawati #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/8ygHO7BzU9

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• The India-Pakistan bus service is disrupted in Punjab due to the Bandh. The Lahore-bound bus from Delhi was stranded at Sirhind and the Delhi-bound bus from Lahore got stuck at Amritsar.

• The Supreme Court today declined an urgent hearing on a plea which sought a stay and review of its recent verdict on SC/ST Act. 

• Normal life was affected today in Bihar following widespread disruptions in rail and road traffic, forced closure of offices and vandalism of property. The state Assembly was also adjourned till lunch break within minutes of commencement of proceedings.

• Latest visual from UP's Azamgarh.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Bus vandalized & set ablaze during protest in Azamgarh. pic.twitter.com/smRy8IdG9w

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• 19 people injured in clashes at Gwalior so far. Two of them are in critical condition. Internet connection has been blocked in the district till 6:00 am tomorrow. IG Law and Order Makrand Deuskar says that four have died so far in Gwalior and Morena.

• Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior.

• Patna HC summons Senior SP, seeks explanation on cops' preparation over Bharat Bandh, reports Express correspondent Anand ST Das.

#WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act:Shots fired during protests in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior pic.twitter.com/p8mW36qL0s

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

• Delhi Police is alert. We have adequate police deployment at places & senior officials are also present in the field. All steps will be taken to maintain law & order: Deependra Pathak, Spokesperson, Delhi Police.

• Newborn dies as ambulance gets stuck in traffic jam caused by protesters in Bihar.

Newborn baby dies in #Bihar's #Vaishali district as ambulance gets stuck in traffic jam caused by #BharatBandh supporters. @NewIndianXpress

— Anand ST Das (@anandstdas_TNIE) April 2, 2018

• Protest turns violent in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Shops being forcibly shut down by protesters in Dehradun. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ocQ8Tm11Km

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

• One dead in Madhya Pradesh's Morena, curfew imposed in the area.

• Girl students of an SC-ST hostel in Ranchi clash with cops after latter enter hostel. Tear gas shells lobbed, reports Express correspondent Anand ST Das. 

• Madhya Pradesh: Curfew imposed in parts of Gwalior & Section 144 (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in the area) imposed in Sagar.

• Protesters resort to stone pelting in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh.

Visuals of #BharatBandh protest from Morena over the SC/ST Protection Act: Protesters block a railway track. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/8DAKAHWPSb

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

• Protestors stop train, vandalise shops in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

• Sixty Dalit and tribal students arrested for violence during in Ranchi that left 12 students injured. 

• Protestors get thrashed by police in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.

• Scuffle between protestors and Police in Jharkhand's Ranchi. Several people injured. 

#WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Clash between protesters and Police in Ranchi. Several people injured #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/nYc19J6oUu

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

• Protest turns violent in Rajasthan's Barmer, cars and property damaged.

  

• Protests take place at Mandi house in Delhi.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protest turns violent in Meerut, cars damaged pic.twitter.com/T5a9szGtDI

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• Different groups including CPIML activists protest in Bihar's Arrah and block a train

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Rajasthan's Bharatpur pic.twitter.com/m3C8nBqXvW

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018
 

• Protestors disrupt rail traffic in Odisha's Sambalpur

  

• According to reports, some protesters tried to stop a train in Amritsar district. They, however, relented after talks with railway officials.

• CBSE Class 10, 12 Board exams have been postponed in Punjab due to the Bharat Bandh.

• Punjab, which has the highest SC population in the country, has been put on high alert. Schools, colleges, universities and banks will remain closed. Mobile internet service has been suspended.