The situation is under control, and there have been no reports of unrest so far. While calls for the strike are being circulated widely on social media, no major outfit has endorsed it.
Keeping in mind the nationwide anti-reservation strike today, police have issued a high alert in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad. Eighty people have signed restrictive bonds. Strict instructions have been issued to take action against people who take law into their hands. The police is also keeping an eye on the usual suspects known to foment trouble.
Bharat Bandh today has been called by some groups opposed to caste-based reservations in jobs and educational institutions
On 2 April, Dalit outfits had conducted a nationwide strike against the “dilution” of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Soon after, general category organisations announced a Bharat bandh on social media. While calls for the strike are being circulated widely on social media, no major outfit has endorsed it.
Gautam Budh Nagar SP (rural) Suniti said, “The situation about the bandh is not clear yet. But, forces have been deployed throughout the city, and are on stand-by. Meanwhile, the police and Rapid Action Force have taken out flag marches in the rural areas to restore confidence in people.”
Ghaziabad SSP Vaibhav Krishna, too, has beefed up security measures. The police has earmarked 65 sensitive spots in the district. Special police forces have been deployed at all 65 locations. Police force and PAC personnel have been deployed at other places. Riot-control vehicles and reserve police forces have also been kept on alert.
The SSP said, “Belligerent protesters will be dealt with strictly. Those blocking roads and railway tracks will have to face the music.”
In Noida and Ghaziabad, as of now, the situation is under control and there are no reports of unrest so far.
