BHOPAL*: *Five people died and six others were injured in Madhya Pradeshtoday as Dalits hit the roads, which, they said diluted a law that ensuredtheir safety.

The Army was called in to control the situation in Bhind, and theauthorities declared curfew in three districts.

Two persons died in police firing in Gwalior, one in Bhind and one inadjoining Morena. One of the people killed was a student leader,identified as Rahul Pathak. He was shot during the clashes between theprotesters and the police in Morena and died on way to hospital, reportednews agency Press Trust of India, quoting senior police officer UmeshShukla.

As the violence escalated, the entire Morena town was placed underprohibitory orders, which bans a gathering of more than three people.Curfew was also imposed in adjoining Gwalior and Bhind districts, officialssaid.

Major cities like Bhopal and Indore, too, saw violence. Trains were stoppedat many places, including Morena. The government had blocked cellphoneinternet in all three districts after the violence broke out.

A report from Jhabua said protesters looted shops during the agitation,triggering tension in the tribal town, reported news agency Press Trust ofIndia.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has appealed to the protesters tomaintain peace in the state, saying the Centre has already filed a petitionin the Supreme Court, asking for a review of its order regarding a lawmeant for protection of Dalits and Scheduled Tribes against atrocities. Twoweeks ago, the top court changed two key provisions of the stringent SC/ST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, stopping the immediate arrest an accusedand introducing a provision for bail.

Dalit groups have accused the government of failing to present their caseproperly in court and demanded that it filed a review petition.