LIVE | Bharat Bandh: 9 killed in violence during Dalit protests, section 144 imposed in UP's Meerut

Section 144 has been imposed in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut in wake of the nationwide Dalit protests against the "dilution" of the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Nine people were killed and several injured on Monday as dalit protests against the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act turned violent in different parts of the country.

As per reports, internet services have also been suspended till 2 pm. In Uttar Pradesh, two persons were killed and over 70, including many policemen, were injured on Monday as the state saw widespread violence. "During the bandh, violence broke out in Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Agra and they were the most affected areas. 

Reports of violence have come from some other districts too. As of now, 448 persons have been detained in different districts. There were no incidents in 90 per cent of districts. We have sounded a high-alert in the state," DIG, Law and Order Praveen Kumar said.

The Army and paramilitary forces were also put on standby in Punjab. Normal life was affected in several parts of Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat too. 

Live Updates

# Internet suspended in Meerut till 2 pm as a precautionary measure

# Death toll due to violence rises to 7 in Madhya Pradesh 

#In Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, schools except those conducting board examinations will remain shut today.

#Office of a BJP legislator was allegedly ransacked in Krishna Nagar on Monday by a group of Dalits who were protesting the "dilution" of the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, representative of the MLA said.