SC/ST Act: Additional forces deployed in Raj, internet suspended in some areas

Nearly 25-30 companies of additional forces were today deployed across Rajasthan in view of the state-wide protests by Dalits against the dilution of the SC/ST act, police said.

The authorities also suspended mobile internet services and imposed section 144 in Barmer, Jalore, Sikar and Ahore following reports of violence there.

The prohibitory orders were issued after the protests across the state, in response to the nation-wide bandh call given by Dalit groups, turned violent in some areas where several vehicles were torched.

"However, the situation is now under control. 25-30 companies of additional forces have been deployed to tackle the situation. Section 144 has been imposed in Jalore, Barmer, Sikar and Ahore," Additional Director General of Police (law and order), NRK Reddy said.

Train movement in Alwar and Khairthal has been affected, he added.

The district administration of Barmer imposed prohibitory orders after four cars were torched there.

"Internet service was suspended as a precautionary measure and section 144 was imposed. Situation is now under control," Barmer District Collector Nakate Shivprasad Madan said.

The Dalit groups are demanding the restoration of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in its original form.

The Supreme Court had, on March 20, diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.