In India, curfew clamped, Army called in as violent protests go out of control
Shares
NEW DELHI - In India, curfew has been clamped and the Army and anti-riot police deployed in Utar Pradesh, Madhiya Pradesh, Rajhastan, Punjab and Bihar as situation threatened to go out of control, after the violent protests by Dalits following the controversial Supreme Court order.
Protesters clashed with police, attacked buses and government property and blockaded trains and roads across the country.
The maximum deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh, with the police saying three people were killed in Gwalior, two in Bhind and one in Morena.
The protests also claimed two lives in Uttar Pradesh – one in Muzaffarnagar and another in Meerut. One person was killed in Rajasthan’s Alwar as the police opened fire to disperse a mob.
Violence particularly engulfed the backward Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhiya Pradesh during the strike, leading to imposition of curfew in districts of Gwalior, Morena and Bhind.
Similarly, mobs set on fire several vehicles and indulged in stone pelting and exchange of fire in Bhind district during the bandh, leading to death of a youth.
Meanwhile, non-Dalit groups targeted Dalit slums today (Tuesday) in retaliation a day after Dalit protesters went on a rampage in Karauli district in eastern Rajasthan.
The agitators set the houses of local legislators on fire, forcing the administration to impose curfew.
Meanwhile, non-Dalit groups targeted Dalit slums today in retaliation a day after Dalit protesters went on a rampage in Karauli district in eastern Rajasthan.
The agitators set the houses of local legislators on fire, forcing the administration to impose curfew.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court has declined to stay its order on a law, which Dalits said diluted some of the provisions meant to protect them.
The top court was hearing a review petition filed by the government against the March 20 order that banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the Scheduled Castes Act. (Hindustan Times)
