Bharat Bandh LIVE Updates: Death toll in today's violence goes up to 9

The government on Monday filed a review petition before the Supreme Court, challenging its order banning automatic arrest and registration of cases for alleged harassment of SCs and STs.

A protester (C) is beaten by students after members of the Dalit community and other "low caste" groups threw bricks at their college, during countrywide protests against a Supreme Court order that allegedly diluted the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh state on April 2, 2018. PIC/AFP.

New Delhi: Demonstrations turned violent in several parts of North India where at least 9 people were killed. Multiple Dalit groups had called for a nation-wide protests over dilution of the SC/ST Act since morning. Madhya Pradesh was the most affected where five persons were killed and several others, including policemen, sustained injuries in violent protests. Securuty forces including personnel of the Army were called in to control the situation. A student leader, identified as Rahul Pathak, died in firing in Morena district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Umesh Shukla told news agency PTI.Pathak was allegedly shot by agitators and he succumbed to injuries enroute to hospital, he said. Curfew was imposed in Morena, Gwalior and Bhind districts. The vandals blocked rail and road traffic and vandalised public property n Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan's Alwar one person was said to be killed. The protest also claimed a life of a new born baby in Bihar. Reports claimed that the ambulance of the child got stuck in a jam due to violent demonstrations The child reportedly died on his way to Sadar hospital from Mehnar PHC in Hajipur. LATEST UPDATES:

• Jharkhand: 763 people detained in Ranchi district and 850 in east Singhbhum district during #BharatBandh protests - ANI
• Some police personnel have been injured. Situation is under control now, however all districts are still on high alert. We've lathicharged & used water cannon wherever it was needed. No culprit will be spared & strict action will be taken: DIG, Law & Order, UP
• One person has died in firing in Alwar. There was stone pelting in several places. No. of people have been detained across all districts in the state. Internet services were suspended&Section 144 was imposed in certain districts: DGP, Rajasthan #BharatBandh protest over SC/ST Act - ANI
• Today's violence has claimed 7 lives so far.

#BharatBandh Anti-social elements behind violence, not Dalits or BSP workers: Mayawati https://t.co/uIkx5YrwMx pic.twitter.com/0PPheW40PI

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) April 2, 2018

He is the main conspirator of this violence and we have detained him: Manzil Saini, SSP Meerut on former BSP MLA Yogesh Verma #BharatBandh pic.twitter.com/GuVRZlVLij

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

• Today's violence has claimed 5 lives so far. Four have died Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, Morena and Bhind. One person has died in Rajastan's Alwar.
• In a shocking incident, a person standing on his terrace in Morena, Madhya Pradesh lost his life as the police bulletin hit him during a crossfire between the cops and protesters

• Curfew imposed in Gwalior, MP after protesters hit streets and created ruckus
• In MP's Morena protesters block railway tracks
• Even in Jaipur SC/ST protesters block railway tracks in Jaipur, raise slogans with flags in hands
• Shops being forcibly shut down by protesters in Dehradun

 

• The central & state govts are dedicated towards the welfare of backward castes, SC & ST. I appeal to all to not disturb the law & order. If at all there are any issues you can bring them to govt's notice: UP CM Yogi Adityanath #BharatBandh (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/NJm7xWCmYN

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Visuals of protest from Mandi House in Delhi pic.twitter.com/7gfHhMS4YI

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

A similar protest could be seen in Jalandhar as well, where hundreds of people marched on the roads, carrying flags and shouting out slogans for their rights. In Patiala, angry mob stood in front of trains and disrupted the operations.

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Scuffle between protesters and Police in Ranchi #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/6QCPjVT6KT

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#WATCH #BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Clash between protesters and Police in Ranchi. Several people injured #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/nYc19J6oUu

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

#BharatBandh over SC/ST protection act: Protesters stop train in Punjab's Patiala pic.twitter.com/JCohWtQaXO

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018

With Lok Sabha elections next year, the pressure is mounting on the central government as well. The government on Monday filed a review petition before the Supreme Court, challenging its order banning automatic arrest and registration of cases for alleged harassment of SCs and STs. A nation-wide shut down was called by SC/ST communities protesting against SC order.