nThe administration sounded high alert in the State capital and state in the wake of September 6 ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by groups of general and OBC categories protesting against the SC/ST Protection Act. Both BJP and Congress had in Parliament supported the amendment Bill, implementing SC/ ST Act in its original form.
The State government and police have made adequate arrangements to maintain law and order in the state.
The ‘bandh’ which would impact the normal life has been further augmented by decision of petrol pump association which has decided to remain shut till 4 pm on Thursday. The association took the decision to avert any untoward action.
The groups have threatened government of dire consequences if amendment made in SC/ST Act is not revoked which was passed in the parliament last month.
Sensing that protest might turn violent scheduled progammes have been cancelled by people’s representatives like Minister of Sports Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Minister for Renewable Energy Narayan Singh Kushwaha, Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare Department Lalita Yadav and BJP MLA Gwalior (rural) Bharat Singh Kushwaha.
IG (Law and Order) Makrand Deuskar said that 6000 newly inducted police personnel and 34 battalions on the field government is not letting any stone unturned to contain the protest for which government has received alarming alerts.
Inspector of General of Police Bhopal Jaideep Prasad said that around 4000 police personnel would be deployed during the ‘bandh’. The section 144 of the CrPC would not be imposed in the state capital as the law and order situations could be handled.
The representatives of general category officials and employees have been contacted and discussions were held for their cooperation and support. Meetings with local representatives were held to gain support during the ‘bandh’ and maintain peace during the ‘bandh’, he added.
Gwalior (City), Bhind, Shivpuri, Guna and Ashok Nagar have been imposed with section 144. Schools in Bhind and Morena would remain close during the strike on Thursday.
Taking the past experience of ‘protests’ by Dalit groups agitating against diluting SC/ ST Act which turned violent taking 10 lives on April 2, this year.
The protest in the month of April that had turned violent and other protest in which heavy loss of property and few lives were lost have made the government and administration to remain on toes.