NEW DELHI – In India, curfew has been clamped and the Army and anti-riotpolice deployed in Utar Pradesh, Madhiya Pradesh, Rajhastan, Punjab andBihar as situation threatened to go out of control, after the violentprotests by Dalits following the controversial Supreme Court order.

Protesters clashed with police, attacked buses and government property andblockaded trains and roads across the country.

The maximum deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh, with the police sayingthree people were killed in Gwalior, two in Bhind and one in Morena.

The protests also claimed two lives in Uttar Pradesh – one in Muzaffarnagarand another in Meerut. One person was killed in Rajasthan’s Alwar as thepolice opened fire to disperse a mob.

Violence particularly engulfed the backward Gwalior-Chambal region ofMadhiya Pradesh during the strike, leading to imposition of curfew indistricts of Gwalior, Morena and Bhind.

Similarly, mobs set on fire several vehicles and indulged in stone peltingand exchange of fire in Bhind district during the bandh, leading to deathof a youth.

Meanwhile, non-Dalit groups targeted Dalit slums today (Tuesday) inretaliation a day after Dalit protesters went on a rampage in Karaulidistrict in eastern Rajasthan.

The agitators set the houses of local legislators on fire, forcing theadministration to impose curfew.

Meanwhile, non-Dalit groups targeted Dalit slums today in retaliation a dayafter Dalit protesters went on a rampage in Karauli district in easternRajasthan.

The agitators set the houses of local legislators on fire, forcing theadministration to impose curfew.

On the other hand, the Supreme Court has declined to stay its order on alaw, which Dalits said diluted some of the provisions meant to protect them.

The top court was hearing a review petition filed by the government againstthe March 20 order that banned automatic arrests and registration ofcriminal cases under the Scheduled Castes Act. (Hindustan Times)