In one of the most violent protests in recent times in India, at least nine persons were killed and many injured in violence on Monday as Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles across several states during a nationwide bandh against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
While six people were killed in Madhya Pradesh, one each died in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.
The Union Home Ministry, which rushed 800 anti-riot policemen to MP and UP, asked all states to take preventive steps and maintain public order to ensure safety of lives and property.
The government said it is committed to ensuring welfare of SCs, STs and other weaker sections and guaranteeing them full protection of law as it appealed to people not to fall prey to rumours and false propaganda.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also asked political parties to help in maintaining harmony among different sections of the society.
See 10 pictures of Bharat Bandh:
Bhopal: Members of Dalit community stage a protest during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Bhopal on Monday.
Varanasi: Police personnel takes away an activist during 'Bharat Bandh' call by Dalit organisations against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Moradabad on Monday.
Police personnel extinguish a burning tyre to clear a road during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes act, in New Delhi, on Monday
Muzzaffarnagar: Protestors hurl brickbats as smoke billows out of burning cars during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Muzzaffarnagar on Monday.
Bikaner: Police personnel hide behind shields and barricades as protesters throw stones at them during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Bikaner on Monday
Gwalior: Police personnel detains a protestor during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Gwalior on Monday.
Morena: Protestors hurl stones during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Morena on Monday.
Ahmedabad: Members of Dalit community block a road wuth a tree as they stage a protest during 'Bharat Bandh' against the alleged 'dilution' of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Gaya: Dalit community members stop a train at Gaya railway station during 'Bharat Bandh' call given by Dalit organisations against the alleged 'dilution' of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes act, in Gaya on Monday.
Meerut: Vehicles set on fire by a group of protesters during 'Bharat Bandh' call given by Dalit organisations against the 'alleged' dilution of Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes Act, in Meerut on Monday
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