Protestors demand implementation of SC ruling on SC/ST Act

Noida: A large number of representatives and members of various local residents' bodies, industries and social organisations on Thursday took to streets and staged a massive protest against the amendments to SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act across various parts of Gautam Buddh Nagar district. The traders also kept the shutters down ensuring a complete shutdown across the district as a part of their protest.

In Noida, the protestors started a march from the stadium and raised slogans against the government and demanded implementation of SC ruling of (March 20, 2018) to ensure proper investigation before an FIR is registered. The protestors further handed over a written memorandum to the City Magistrate office at his camp office in sector 19, Noida. The protestors included women, traders, locals, industries and various social organisations.

"Today's protest is a part of our agitation against the amendments in law. We want the government to implement the Supreme Court ruling of March 2018 to protect the rights of the upper-caste. We have submitted a copy of the memorandum to the city magistrate which is also being sent to prime minister, home minister, DM, MP Gautam Budh Nagar, and MLA Noida, Dadri and Jewar," said N P Singh, President, Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA).

The protest was called by upper caste outfits like Rajput Karni Sena, Aggarwal Samaj and others. In various parts across the district, the markets remained shut. The businesses that remained open were also asked to down their shutters by noon.

A shopkeeper in Greater Noida's commercial belt said that he was forced to close his shop by the protesters.

Dadri area of Greater Noida also observed a complete bandh as part of the agitation called by various upper-caste groups. The markets, businesses and other buildings were shut down as part of the protest. In the Dankaur area, the protesters also tried to stop the train.

To prevent violent clashes and to maintain law and order in the district, heavy police force was deployed in the region.