Anti-Quota Bharat Bandh Evokes a Lukewarm Response Across States
Tuesday’s call for nationwide shutdown was seen a retaliation to the Bharat Bandh called by Dalit groups on 2 April.
Though affecting normal life in a few quarters of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, the call for a nationwide anti-quota ‘bandh’ on Tuesday, 10 April, largely evoked a lukewarm response and passed off peacefully.
The nationwide 'bandh' was called by several groups, who are opposed to caste-based reservations in education and jobs, largely through social media.
Over 100 people were detained in Bihar, curfew and prohibitory orders were imposed in several places, and mobile internet services in places like Jaipur and Jalore in Rajasthan.
Tuesday's call for nationwide shutdown was widely seen a retaliation to the 'Bharat Bandh' called by several Dalit groups on 2 April.
- 30 CRPF companies had been deployed across states to check law and order
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued an advisory on 9 April to strengthen security
- 127 people were arrested in Bihar with clashes being reported from Arrah and Manpur
- The protests had no impact in Uttar Pradesh, the police said
- Section 144 was imposed in parts of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh
- Internet services had been suspended in Jaipur and Jalore in Rajasthan
- Arson was reported from Punjab’s Ferozepur
Anti-Quota Strike: More Than 100 People Detained in Bihar
More than 100 people were taken into custody from various parts of the state after clashes broke out between the supporters of the 'Bharat Bandh' and pro-reservation groups, officials said.
A nationwide 'bandh' was called today by several groups, who are opposed to the caste-based reservations in education and jobs, largely through social media.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Mithilesh Kumar told PTI Lakho outpost in-charge Balmukund and a reporter of a local newspaper were among those injured in the violence.
Of the 100 people detained, 70 were from Ara, the district headquarters town of Bhojpur, an official said.
Mixed reaction to anti-quota strike in Rajasthan
A nationwide strike against caste-based reservations in education and jobs evoked a mixed response in Rajasthan, with the authorities imposing prohibitory orders and blocking mobile internet services in the state capital to prevent any violence.
In some parts of the state including Jaipur, shops and business establishments remained shut and private schools were closed.
"The situation in the state is peaceful," ADG (Law and Order) NRK Reddy told PTI.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were imposed in places including Jaipur, Hindaun, Karauli, Gangapur, Barmer, Siwana, Jaitaran. Mobile internet services were blocked in Jaipur and Jalore. District police chiefs and collectors were asked to take prompt action in case of any untoward incident, the officer said.
Markets were shut in Jaipur, Kotputali, Sambhar, Jhalawar and in many other towns of the state.
'No Impact of Bharat Bandh in UP'
The "Bharat bandh" called by some groups against caste-based reservations in jobs and education had no impact in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday with life remaining by and large normal across the state, a senior police officer told PTI.
"There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state and life was normal," Deputy Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar told reporters.
In state capital Lucknow, life was normal with traders opening their shops and vehicles plying on the roads.
The Centre had on Monday advised all the states to beef up security. Fourteen companies of the CRPF were deployed in UP.
CBSE Class 10 and 12 Exams in Punjab to Be Held on 27 April
CBSE to conduct Class 10 and 12 exam for Punjab on 27 April after they could not be held due to Bharat Bandh protests on 2 April.
127 Arrested in Bihar
As many as 127 agitators were arrested in Bihar over the Bharat Bandh protests, news agency ANI reported.
Union Minister Kushwaha Claims He Was Manhandled in Bihar
Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha said that he was attacked by "miscreants" near Hajipur in Bihar while on his way to Motihari to take part in a programme to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The incident happened during the ongoing Bharat Bandh protests, IANS reported.
30 CRPF Companies Deployed
The Central government has sent 30 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – the country's largest paramilitary force – to various states to maintain law and order during the Bharat Bandh called on Tuesday, 10 April.
Home Ministry officials told IANS that 14 of these companies have been sent to Uttar Pradesh, eight to Rajasthan, and four each to Madhya Pradesh and Bihar to prevent any untoward incident during the bandh called to protest against the country's reservation policy.
Groups Clash in Punjab's Ferozepur: Reports
After a call for a Bharat Bandh by Dalit groups, protestors clashed with local shopkeepers in Punjab's Ferozepur on Tuesday, 10 April, Hindustan Times reported.
Shopkeepers were reluctant to close down their outlets which led to the scuffle. The groups also damaged some bikes parked in the market, HT reported.
Earlier this month, when the Bharat Bandh protests first erupted, Ferozepur was the hotbed in Punjab.
Bihar: Protests Spread to Gaya's Manpur
After clashes in Arrah, instances of violence were reported from Bihar’s Manpur in Gaya district during Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh protests.
Several protesters were detained after they clashed with the police and pelted stones, ANI reported.
Over a Dozen Injured in Clashes in Bihar
Over a dozen people were injured on Tuesday in a violent clash in Bihar during the Bharat Bandh, the police told IANS.
Supporters, mostly upper-caste youths, blocked roads and forcibly enforced the shutdown in Arrah town, Bhojpur district.
Hundreds of youths opposing reservation to SC/ST and OBCs and supporting ‘Bharat Bandh’, have reportedly blocked roads, halted trains and forcibly closed markets in Patna, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Muzafffarpur, Bhojpur, Sheikhpura and Darbhanga districts.
Bike Rally Against Caste-Based Reservations in Rajasthan
A bike-rally was held in Rajasthan's Jhalawar on Tuesday to protest against caste-based reservations, with markets remaining shut in the area during the agitations.
Clashes in Bihar's Arrah, Gunshots Heard
Clashes have been reported between two groups in Bihar's Arrah, with gunshots being heard. It is being said that the clashes are linked to protests against caste-based reservations.
Curfew Imposed in Bhind and Morena
Curfew has been imposed in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind and Morena, in anticipation of protests against caste-based reservations on 10 April.
The state of Madhya Pradesh had witnessed large-scale violence leading to several deaths during the Bharat Bandh protests on 2 April.
Section 144 Imposed in Bharatpur
Section 144 imposed in Bharatpur in Rajasthan till 15 April after protests erupted over SC/ST protection Act earlier in the month. Internet services will be suspended at 9 am, today.
Section 144 in Madhya Pradesh
Ajatshatru, Divisional Commissioner of Bhopal, said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 had been imposed in the city for 10 April, but services including schools, government offices and banks would operate as usual.
Sudhir Lad, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chambal range said that curfew would be effective in Bhind from 9 pm today to 6 pm tomorrow to avoid any untoward incident.
The state had witnessed widespread violence during the 'Bharat Bandh' on 2 April called by Dalit outfits protesting against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that led to the death of eight persons and had left many others injured, including 54 policemen.
Internet Services Suspended in UP
Internet services will be suspended from 6 pm on 9 April to 6 pm on 10 April in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur. The order has been issued by the District Magistrate in view of Bharat Bandh called on 10 April.
Schools to Remain Shut in UP's Firozabad
Classes called off tomorrow from class 1 to class 9 in all schools as a precautionary measure in the light of reports of a call for Bharat Bandh.
Security Beefed up in Rajasthan, Section 144 Imposed
Keeping law and order situation in mind, Sanjay Aggarwal, Commissioner of Jaipur Police, told ANI that no procession or dharna will be allowed in the state and that strict action would be taken against offenders.
Section 144 has been imposed in Jaipur city ahead of the anticipated country-wide shutdown. Mobile internet service has also been blocked for 24 hours in Jaipur as a precautionary measure.
Additional policemen and battalions of RAC have been provided to various district. BSF and CRPF battalions are also being deployed as per requirements of districts, he added.
Ministry of Home Affairs Issues Advisory
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said districts magistrates and superintendents of police would be personally held responsible for any violence in their area of jurisdiction.
The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country, leading to the death of a dozen people and injuring many others.
Bharat Bandh Call on Social Media
Certain groups have called for a Bharat Bandh on 10 April to protest against caste-based reservation in jobs and education. The call has been made on social media but no organisation has come out in support of it. However, keeping in mind the ‘Bharat Bandh’ agitation of 2 April, the Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to strengthen security and maintain law and order situation.
(With ANI and PTI inputs)
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