A day after violent protests across the nation killed at least 10 people, clashes broke out in Rajasthan’s Hindaun city on Tuesday, demanding action against those involved in looting and vandalism during Monday’s Bharat Bandh, called by Dalit groups against dilution of SC/ST Act, turned violent, police said.
The houses of a sitting and a former MLA, both Dalits, were set afire by a violent mob, following which curfew was imposed in the city and over 40 people were arrested. The mob torched the house of Dalit leaders including BJP legislator Rajkumari Jatav and former minister Bharosilal Jatav of the Congress.
Meanwhile, Sub Inspector Mahendra Chowdhary, who was injured during Bharat Bandh-related violence in Jodhour yesterday, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.
According to sources, around 40,000 people came out on the streets on Tuesday to protest against the violence and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.
Police sources also said that when police took out a flag march on Tuesday morning, some miscreants engaged in violence and clashed with the security personnel.
When even force did not work, police fired tear gas shells - some of which fell on a government school, leading to chaos in which around a dozen schoolchildren were injured, officials said.
Superintendent of Police Anil Kayal said that curfew will continue in the town till Wednesday morning and 45 people have been arrested. Situation is under control and police are continuously reviewing the situation, he added.
Meanwhile, state police chief O.O. Galhotra said that except in Hindaun, normalcy returned to Rajasthan on Tuesday.
He told the media that a total of 23 companies of police have been deployed in different towns and flag marches are being carried out in the most-affected areas.
A total of 172 cases have been registered against miscreants for damaging public property, engaging in violence, looting and other such crimes.
Over 1,000 people have been booked from different parts of the state and the hunt is on to trace others involved in the violence which erupted on Monday.
Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, a case was filed against two policemen in connection with the death of a man Mahavir Rajawat during Bharat Bandh-related violence on Monday in Bhind.
Addressing the media, IG Law and Order Makrand Deuskar said, "A complaint was received against two constables in Bhind in connection with the death of Mahavir Rajwat who had suffered gunshots on Monday and died later.
Deuskar further said that the total death toll due to violence during the Bharat Bandh protest is 7 adding that the death of one person in Morena was not due to the protests.
"A case has been registered against police personnel who fired shot at a protester yesterday. The protester later passed away," he added.
Violent protests erupted on Monday in many states including Madhya Pradesh during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit outfits against the Supreme Court's ruling that allegedly diluted the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Meanwhile, The Supreme Court refused to stay its order on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act.
The court was hearing Central Government's review petition on Schedule Castes and the Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
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