Bharat Bandh: Curfew in Jaipur, Odisha, Bhopal, parts of UP; trains stopped in Bihar

New Delhi: The Bharat bandh called to protest against caste-based reservation witnessed protests in some parts of the country on Tuesday. There were reports of the bandh in Jaipur, Bhopal, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Media reports said the protesters stopped trains at Ara in Bihar.

The call for Bharat bandh against caste-based reservation was not called by any group, but the news earlier started circulating in social media following which protests were seen.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued an advisory to all states to take necessary steps for Tuesday’s bandh.

On April 2, the countrywide shutdown was seen the following call by Dalit organisations to protest alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court. At least 11 persons were killed in different parts of the country.

Separate security alerts have also been issued in a number of states, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, from where the deaths were reported on April 2.

In Bihar, Bihar Public School and Children’s Welfare Association, as a precaution measure, had called for the closure of schools. Many of the private schools were closed in the state and protests were also seen in capital Patna. People burnt tyres at Saguna More and Rajeev Nagar in Patna and raised slogans against caste-based reservation.

At Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, district administration made announcements for the closure of schools.

Media reports said that the state government has suspended internet services in Jaipur. Police Commissioner Sanjay Aggarwal, in a press conference, said no procession or protest would be allowed on Tuesday and strict action will be taken against offenders.

In view of the bandh Section 144 has been imposed in Bhopal. Massive deployment of police personnel has been made to counter any violence or untoward incidents.