LUCKNOW: The impact of ‘bandh’ against reservation and in support of Supreme Court’s recent order over alleged dilution of SC/ST Act-1989, was dismal in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
However, in the wake of the bandh call which went viral on social media on Monday, the Union Home Ministry had issued advisories to states putting them on high alert. Even in UP, the state administration had clamped Section 144 in a number of districts and cities, especially, in Western UP, to avert any untoward incident during the bandh.Internet services had been suspended in four UP districts— Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar and Hapur, since Monday evening. These were the nerve centre of April 2 bandh and violent protests.
It may be recalled that the Bharat bandh observed by Dalit organisations on April 2 in protest against the same Supreme Court order had witnessed large scale violence, vandalism, arson and stone pelting by the protestors. Two persons had lost life and several were left injured during the bandh in state.
Tuesday’s bandh call was not supported by any prominent organisation and it was visible only on social media.
However, not taking chances, police administration was seen alert and rigorous checking of vehicle was carried out amidst heavy deployment of forces at many places in the state on Tuesday.
In Mathura, markets wore a deserted look and shutters remained down during the day.
The traders along with Rajputs of the districts had extended support to Tuesday’s anti-quota stir.
Besides, Agra, Etah, Mainouri, Ferozabad, Kasganj, were other districts to be out under Section 144 after the announcement of bandh on Monday. Processions and demonstrations were prohibited in those districts.
UP DGP had issued special directives to district police chiefs to keep a tight vigil and a strict eye on potential trouble makers and rumour mongers. He had also alerted the cyber cell to watch for sensitive and provocative posts on social media.