One killed in MP as Dalits protest, CM appeals for calm

Even as one person was killed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena on Monday as Dalit protests turned violent and curfew was imposed in many places, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed for calm.

"The Union government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. Our government is committed to protect the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. People should maintain peace," Chouhan said.

The protests are part of a 'Bharat bandh' called by Dalit organisations against a Supreme Court March 20 order that diluted The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Violence was reported in the Gwalior-Chambal region and Bhind. At one place two groups clashed and pelted each other with stones while several vehicles were set on fire.

Chambal Inspector General of Police Santosh Singh told IANS: "Curfew has been imposed in Morena city and five towns of Bhind. One person has died."

Major cities like Bhopal and Indore saw violence, with trains stopped at many places. Policemen were among those injured at various places.

The Chief Minister also held a meeting with senior civil and police officers to take stock of the situation.

--IANS

hindi/him/tsb/vm