States on high alert for anti-quota stir

New Delhi: Sensing trouble during a Bharat Bandh called on Tuesday by upper caste groups against reservation, the Union home ministry has advised all states and Union territories to put in place stringent security measures.

The advisory comes in the backdrop of violence during the April 2 nationwide protest called by dalit outfits against a recent Supreme Court order which resulted in the death of almost a dozen people in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. A day after the dalit outfits’ bandh, Rajasthan’s Alwar district was hit by counter-protests by upper caste members who had set ablaze houses of a sitting and a former MLA, both dalits.

Tuesday’s bandh call has been given by Sarv Samaj, a grouping of brahmins, rajputs, jats and gujjars, to protest against job quotas and condemn the violence reported during the dalit agitation on April 2.

A special committee called “April 10 Bharat Bandh Sangharsh Samiti” has been formed for the bandh. Bhim Singh, representative of the group, said their bandh is not for targeting any community.

In its advisory on Monday, the Union home ministry clarified that districts magistrates and superintendents of police will be held responsible in case violence is reported in their areas.

“The home ministry advised states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. If required the local administration and police can issue prohibitory orders under section 144 to prevent gathering of mobs,” an official added.

State police chiefs have been told identify and intensify patrolling in sensitive locations, he said.

The April 2 bandh was called by groups opposing the so-called dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in view of a Supreme Court order. Poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan bore the maximum brunt of the agitation.