The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday issued an advisory to all states, urging them to step up security on Tuesday, as some groups have called for a nationwide strike that day. The ministry asked state governments to issue prohibitory orders, if required, and directed the police to step up patrolling in all sensitive locations.
“The advisory stressed that district magistrates and superintendents of police be made personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control in the areas of their jurisdiction,” the ministry said.
Madhya Pradesh, where six people died last week during the Bharat Bandh protests called by Dalit organisations, has already taken steps to ensure that violence is prevented during Tuesday’s agitations, The Times of India reported. The government has deployed an additional 6,000 police personnel in the Gwalior-Chambal region till April 15, of whom about 4,000 are in Gwalior.
The Gwalior administration has imposed prohibitory orders till April 20 and switched off the internet on Sunday. The internet blackout will remain in place till 10 pm on Tuesday. The administration has also put on alert the Border Security Force’s academy in Tekanpur town. In Bhind district, curfew will remain in place till April 11 evening.
“We are appealing to citizens to maintain peace and harmony in the state,” PTI quoted Director General of Police Rishi Kumar Shukla as saying. “But we are equally prepared to deal with any untoward situation.”
Groups opposed to caste-based reservations have reportedly called the strike. The police in Rajasthan have also stepped up security after leaders of a group called the “Sarv Samaj” – an amalgamation of different caste groups – held a press conference in Jaipur on Saturday and called a nationwide shutdown on April 10, The Times of India reported.
“Our call is not against reservation or a particular community, but the violence that erupted on April 2 during Bharat Bandh was unfortunate,” Bhim Singh, one of the organisers, told the newspaper. “A police sub-inspector, Mahendra Singh Choudhary in Jodhpur and a youth Pawan Kumar in Alwar were killed in the violence.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!