Bhopal: The ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by some groups opposed to the caste-based reservations evoked a partial response in Madhya Pradesh. In the State capital, most of the shops remained closed till 12 noon, as generally the shops are opened at this time only. The schools in the state capital remained open even as some of them had suspended their bus services. The authorities had announced on Monday to clamp daytime curfew in Morena and Bhind, besides enforcing prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Gwalior, Bhopal, Sagar and some other sensitive towns of the state to avoid any untoward incidents.
While talking to media persons here at police control room, Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said, We are monitoring the situation. There has been no impact of the alleged bandh so far. The state police is also keeping a watch on the social media.
The security arrangements across the state have been beefed up in the wake of a shutdown call reportedly given by the groups opposed to caste-based reservations.
The officials said the call for the bandh was given on social media and no organisation had come forward so far to claim responsibility for it. The internet services too have been blocked in the Gwalior-Chambal region to prevent rumour-mongering.
Bhopal range Deputy Inspector General of Police Dharmendra Choudhary had said on Monday that the social media messages were being monitored. He had warned that those spreading the hate messages would be booked under the Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for disobedience to order promulgated by public servant.
DIG, Chambal region, Sudhir Lad said that curfew was imposed in Bhind from 9 pm on Monday and continued till 6 pm Tuesday. Internet services in the Chambal region too have been blocked to prevent rumour-mongering, he said. Bhind’s collector Illayaraja T earlier said six companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised riot control unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the state police’s Special Armed Force have been deployed.