BHOPAL: A Bharat Bandh has called by 35 outfits associated to the upper caste communities in  Madhya Pradesh and Bihar on Thursday to stage a protest against the latest amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Security has been beefed up from corner to corner of the state. Section 144 also has been imposed in sensitive areas.

Schools will remain closed in whole Madhya Pradesh. Petrol pumps across the state will also remain closed.

 Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Owners Association president Ajay Singh told the news agency PTI that all petrol pumps from 10 am to 2 pm  will shut due to security reasons as some outfits have given a call for bandh.

According to the reports at least 34 companies of the special armed force of police have been deployed in several districts. In the Gwalior-Chambal region -a sensitive area Security has also been stepped up. This area witnessed large-scale violence on April 2 this year during the Bharat Bandh called by Dalit groups.

Police carried out peace march in various parts of MP on Thursday morning.  Police have asked to get in touch with groups holding protests and carry out restraining proceedings if needed, stated senior law enforcement officer.

A number of districts in Bihar and Jharkhand are affected by Bharat Bandh call. Buses are not plying, passengers trapped.