Bandh proposed over SC/ST Act amendment, authorities on toes

Bhopal: In view of the proposed bandh tomorrow in protest against the amendment to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police and administrative authorities are exercising alertness in entire Madhya Pradesh.

Security has been beefed up in sensitive areas including the Gwalior-Chambal Division. 

Six people had died during violence in the Division during the Bharat Bandh by dalits to protest against the 'dilution' of the Act by the Supreme Court on April 2. Strong protests are being witnessed in the region against the amendment that undid the 'dilution'. 

Prohibitory orders have been clamped in Chhatarpur, Gwalior, Bhind, Shivpuri, Morena and Sheopur districts as a precautionary measure.In addition to a ban on rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests and public meetings during the period of prohibitory orders, no message can be circulated on social media that may hurt religious, community or caste sentiments.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and Sheopur legislator Durgalal Vijay ? who were staging a sit-in to protest the incident of stone-pelting on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Jan Ashirwad Yatra ? faced protests by people. Agitators were raising slogans against the BJP Government and protesting against the amendment in the Act.

In Morena, several people have pasted posters outside their house against the amendment. In posters, appeal has been made to the electorate to press the NOTA button while political parties have been asked to not come seeking votes. (UNI)