Bharat bandh: Four killed in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena as protests turn violent, curfew imposed

IG (law and order) Makrand Deuskar said all four deaths and injuries resulted from gunshots fired either by protesters or those against the bandh. He said the police did fire in the air at two places but no one was injured. He said the death and injury toll could change. He, whoever, added that the police will await post mortem reports before making any definite comments about gunshots. Internet services in these three districts have been shut.

Rakesh Jatav and Deepak Jatav died in Gwalior town and Mahavir Rajawat and Rahul Pathak died in Bhind and Morena towns. At least five persons were injured in firing in Bhind. Gwalior-Chambal region of MP has a very percentage of licensed gun holders.

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Extra security personnel have been rushed to the troubled districts by drawing spare personnel from areas that remained peaceful on Monday. Superintendents of police in several sensitive districts, especially in Gwalior-Chambal and Malwa regions had been warned to be on alert, a senior police officer said.

Groups of slogan-shouting protesters moved in all main cities like Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur but trouble was reported from Gwalior where people refused to down shutters when asked leading to clashes.

The Chhattisgarh Express was stopped at Morena railway station for a long time. There were reports that protesters pelted stones at the train forcing passengers shut windows and doors. The train developed a snag and was stopped for hours there.

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As tension spread, at least two police stations and one chowky were attacked by protesters. Deuskar said many police personnel were injured in the attack.

Appealing for calm, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Central government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. “Our government is committed to protecting the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” he tweeted in the wake of violence.

As violence escalated, the CM called the chief secretary and the DGP to review the law and order situation at an emergency meeting in his chamber.