Death toll in MP protests rises to 7

With the death of one more person, the toll in the police action during protests against the Supreme Court’s dilution of a law aimed at preventing atrocities against Dalits and tribes has risen to seven, officials said on Tuesday.

Police said three deaths each had been reported from Gwalior and Bhind districts and one in Morena district. Around 100 people, including police personnel, have also been injured in the widespread violence that rocked the state on Monday.

Gwalior’s Superintendent of Police Ashish told IANS that 50 rioters had been taken into custody and were being questioned.

Curfew imposed on Monday in parts of Gwalior, Bhind and Morena districts continued on Tuesday. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers but reports reaching here spoke of stray incidents of violence in some places.

The widespread disturbances have severely affected railway services, stranding hundreds at major stations such as Gwalior, Bina, Bhopal and Itarsi.

Trains destined for New Delhi were running up to 10 hours late, officials said. (IANS)