Tight security in several parts of Uttar Pradesh ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti

Security has been tightened Muzaffarnagar ahead of Bhimrao Ambedkar's birth anniversary tomorrow, police said Friday.

Superintendent of Police Ombir Singh said it was done keeping in view the violence that had broken out during the countrywide protests by Dalit groups on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

More than 40 cases were registered in the district in connection with the violence.

Prohibitory orders were in place and any procession would be allowed only after getting permission from the district authorities, he said.

Amid a spate of vandalism of statues of noted personalities, authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun have taken extra precaution to secure a bust of Dalit icon Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

A statue of Dr Ambedkar in Gaddi Chowk area, in the heart of Budaun town, was found to be locked in an iron cage. Besides, a police personnel has also been deputed for the statue's protection.

The statue falls under Sadar Kotwali police station area.

While the Police said it was not aware who had put the cage, a picture released by news agency ANI showed a cop guarding the statue.

"The step might have been taken to provide security to the statue but we are not aware as to who has done this," Circle Officer Virendra Singh Yadav was quoted as saying by PTI.

This comes in the backdrop of incidents of vandalism of Ambedkar's statues.

SDM (Badaun) Parasnath Maurya said directives were issued to extend security till Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 as there were chances that some anti-social elements might damage the statues to disturb social peace.

He also said he was not aware of who had put the cage around the statue in Gaddi Chowk.

Three homeguard jawans have, however, been deployed for round-the-clock security of the statue, the SDM added.

Meanwhile, the Centre today asked all states to beef up security and check any possible attempt to inciting violence during the Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14

The Ministry of Home Affairs also said that Districts Magistrates and Superintendents of Police should ensure peace and check violence in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

This is the a advisory by the MHA within a fortnight. The first one was sent a day before the April 2 Bharat bandh, which was called to protest against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.