Bharat Bandh: Normal life hit in MP

Normal life was partially disrupted across several parts of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday as organisations observed a nationwide protest against amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in a number of areas, while road traffic was also affected. Several petrol pumps, including those in the state capital Bhopal and other parts of the state, were shut during the protest.

Authorities stepped up security arrangements across Madhya Pradesh to prevent any untoward incident. Police said 35 areas had been placed on high alert as a precautionary measure.

The administration also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Chhatarpur, Shivpuri, Bhind, Ashoknagar, Guna, Gwalior and Katni, according to official sources.

Several organisations had called for the Bharat Bandh to oppose the amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The protests have raised concerns among different groups over changes to legal provisions related to the protection of members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The latest agitation comes against the backdrop of the large-scale violence witnessed in the Gwalior-Chambal region during a Bharat Bandh on April 2. That protest, organised by Scheduled Caste groups, had turned violent in several locations and resulted in the deaths of four people.

Given the earlier violence, authorities in the state have maintained heightened security, particularly in sensitive districts, while monitoring the situation closely during the current bandh.