Punjab, having the highest population of the Scheduled Caste community with 35 per cent, is on high alert in the wake of ‘Bharat Bandh’ call for April 2 — given by several Dalit organisations to protest against the alleged “dilution” of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
From the closure of educational institutions to banks, suspension of transport services to mobile services for a day, the Punjab Government has ordered a security clampdown across the state as a precautionary measure. It has also put the army and para-military forces on standby to deal with any contingency.
The orders came after the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh reviewed the security arrangements with top police and administrative officials on Sunday evening.
The review was followed by a video conference by the Chief Secretary with the Deputy Commissioners and other senior officials of all the districts. As many as four battalions of rapid action force (RAF) and four of Birder Security Force (BSF), along with 12,000 additional police personnel will remain on duty for Monday to maintain law and order which have been taken out from Punjab Armed Police, Police Headquarters’ and other wings of the state police besides para-military forces.