The Punjab government has decided to suspend mobile internet and public transport services on Monday in view of a strike called by several Dalit organisations against the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “The decision has been taken keeping in view the security of commuters and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation property,” the corporation’s Managing Director Manjit Singh Narang told the Hindustan Times on Sunday.
The Dalit organisations have called for a countrywide bandh to protest against the Supreme Court verdict banning the arrest of public servants under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act without a preliminary inquiry. The Supreme Court had said the move was aimed at curbing alleged misuse of the Act.
The Punjab government has asked all educational institutions to remain closed on Monday. The Central Bureau of Secondary Education postponed all Class 10 and Class 12 exams in the state. In the Union Territory of Chandigarh, exams will be held as per schedule.
The state government has asked for Army personnel on standby. “Government may need their assistance for maintaining law and order,” read the state’s request to the Centre. Besides this, 4,000 police personnel and a company of Rapid Action Force will be deployed. “Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in violence,” the Ludhiana commissioner of police told ANI.
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