Govt advises states to beef up security for Bharat Bandh today

The Centre on Monday advised states to beef up security and prevent violence during the Bharat Bandh called by some groups on Tuesday reportedly against caste-based reservations in jobs and education, an official said.

The ministry of home affairs also said district magistrates and superintendents of police will be personally held responsible for any violence in areas under their jurisdiction.

The missive came a week after a similar protest saw violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of about a dozen people.

An official of the MHA said the ministry has issued an advisory to all states to take necessary precautionary measures .

“The MHA has advised the states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, including issue of prohibitory orders, if necessary,” the official said.

States have been asked to intensify patrolling in all sensitive locations so as to prevent any loss of life or damage to property. “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 official said.

While the April 2 Bharat Bandh was called by groups opposing the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by a Supreme Court order, Tuesday’s protest is being reportedly called by people opposed to caste-based reservations in jobs and education.

NEWDELHI: STATES HAVE BEEN ASKED TO INTENSIFY PATROLLING IN ALL SENSITIVE LOCATIONS SO AS TO PREVENT ANY LOSS OF LIFE