Stone pelting in Nagpur, Nandurbar during Dalit protests

Stray incidents of violence in parts of Maharashtra today marred a "Bharat bandh" called by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Incidents of stone pelting on buses were reported from Nandurbar in North Maharashtra during the protests.

"Protesters pelted stones on four state transport buses at Shahada in Nandurbar district," a police official said.

In Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra, the bandh evoked good response in the Dalit-dominated areas.

Protesters blocked trains near Kadbi Chowk in the city, while an attempt was made to torch a bus at Jaripatka, police said.

Trains left for their destinations after agitators were cleared from the rail tracks, they said.

A few incidents of stone pelting on civic-run buses were reported from Indora and Kamal Chowk areas in North Nagpur, which has a substantial Dalit population, a police officer said.

The demonstrators used burning tyres to block vehicular traffic in certain areas, the police said.

Normal life was affected in the Dalit-dominated North Nagpur, where most of the shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the bandh. Other parts of Nagpur remained largely unaffected.

The nationwide bandh was called by several Dalit outfits to express concerns over the "dilution" of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following a Supreme Court order.

The apex court, in a March 20 order, had said government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction and private citizens, too, should be arrested only after an inquiry under the law.

These outfits and some political parties fear the "dilution" of the provisions might lead to an increase in violence against Dalits.

Maharashtra had seen large-scale protests by Dalits in early January over violence on the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago.

Violence erupted in Pune on January 1 when Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in which the British defeated the Peshwas.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed soldiers from the Mahar community were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins and the victory is seen as a symbol of Dalit assertiveness.