The Punjab Government has ordered a security clampdown across the state as a precautionary measure in view of Monday’s Punjab bandh called against the alleged dilution of SC/ST Act. While the Army and paramilitary forces have been asked to be on alert, all educational institutions and banks will remain closed.

While mobile internet services in the state were suspended from 5.00 pm on Sunday till Monday evening in a bid to check rumour mongering on the social media, all public and private transport will remain suspended during the bandh to prevent any untoward incident, an official spokesperson said.

The orders were issued after Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh reviewed the security arrangements with top police and administrative officials here on Sunday evening. The review was followed by a video conference by the Chief Secretary with the Deputy Commissioners and other senior officials of all the districts.

Giving details of the precautionary measures taken by the government, the spokesperson said four battalions of RAF and 4 of BSF, along with 12000 additional police personnel will remain on duty tomorrow to maintain law and order.

PRTC, Punjab Roadways and PunBus, as well as buses run by private operators, would not ply on the roads through the bandh duration, the spokesperson added.

According to an order issued by the DPI (Colleges), all the educational institutions, including the government colleges, government aided colleges, private colleges, state and private universities, will remain closed tomorrow on April 2, 2018, as a precautionary measure, in view of the bandh call given by some organizations. Likewise, all the government, non-government/private aided, aided and recognized schools would also remain closed tomorrow.

The final practical examinations of Class X and XII of Punjab School Education Board, which were scheduled to be held on Monday, will now be held on April 11, as per the directives issued by the Education Department.

While issuing strict orders to police and security forces to deal with any attempt to disturb the peace and harmony in the state with an iron hand, the Chief Minister reiterated his appeal to the organisations, that have called the bandh in protest against the dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, not to obstruct transport movement in the state or cause any harassment to commuters.

The armed forces, as well as the paramilitary, will be on standby to render any assistance as needed, said the spokesperson, adding that the Chief Minister had directed the police to crack down against anyone found trying to disrupt the peace and harmony in the state.

The Chief Minister, however, urged the protesters not to take the law in their own hands and, in particular, not to impede transport movement in any way. With Punjab a key route for transportation of essential provisions to the armed forces at the borders, any disruption on the highways could seriously hamper the supply of the necessary supplies, he said.

Captain Amarinder Singh also appealed to the protesters to ensure that the mortal remains of the Iraq victims, that are expected to arrive in Amritsar tomorrow, are allowed to be transported to their native villages without any impediment. He also directed the Punjab Police to provide strict security for the same along the routes, from the airport to the respective native villages of the victims.

Noting that the Government of India had already announced its decision to file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict, the Chief Minister said the SC/ST community should defer its protest till the final decision on the petition comes.

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs, Justice and Jails has issued a notification, in pursuance of the provisions of the sub clause 1, 2 and 3 of clause 6 of the Punjab Jail manual, the Punjab Government, authorising all the District Magistrates in the state to declare any place to be a Special Jail under the Punjab Jail Manual in view of the bandh call.

The District Magistrate shall, while using this authorisation, ensure compliance of all provisions of the Prisons Act 1894 and Jail Manual Punjab through Superintendent of Jail of their respective District. Necessary arrangements would be made by the District Magistrates in consultation with the concerned Departments as well as the Superintendents of Jail within their District, as per the orders.

The government has also appointed Special Executive Magistrates for the maintenance of law and order, up to April 3, 2018, in their respective districts under section 21 of the CrPC.