Partial impact in some States
A nationwide antiquota bandh call on Tuesday received mixed reactions with shops remaining closed in some parts of states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan amidst heavy security arrangements, while internet services were restricted in a few sensitive areas.
Reports from Bihar showed attempts to block trains, while some schools suspended their bus services in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP), which was the worst hit during the April 2 nationwide bandh called by Dalit groups with at least eight people being killed in violent protests.
Officials in MP said the call for Tuesday's bandh was given on social media and no organisation had come forward so far to claim responsibility for it.
In Rajasthan, which was also hit badly during the Dalitconvened bandh, the state government has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC and blocked mobile internet services in the state capital as precautionary measure.
The police chiefs and collectors of districts across the state have been asked to take prompt action if any nuisance is created, officials in Jaipur said.
On Monday, the Union Home Ministry had issued advisory to all states to beef up security and prevent vio- lence during the Bharat Bandh against caste-based reservations in jobs and education.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also said the districts magistrates and superintendents of police (SPS) would be personally held responsible for any violence in their area of jurisdiction.
The directive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of at least 11 persons.
The situation in the state (Rajasthan) is peaceful, ADG (Law and Order) NRK Reddy told PTI in Jaipur.
He said that companies of paramilitary forces inclu ding BSF and CRPF have also been deployed at sensitive areas of different districts in the state.
Markets in the walled city area of Jaipur as well as in the areas such as Bajaj nagar, Barkat Nagar and nearby places were not open on Tuesday.
However, no demonstration or rally has taken place and the situation is quite peaceful. Private schools were closed and transport vehicles are plying normally.
The authorities in Bhopal have announced daytime curfew in Morena and Bhind, besides enforcing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) in Gwalior, Bhopal, Sagar and some other sensitive towns of the state to avoid any untoward incidents.