Thousands of protesters representing the 'upper caste organisations' on Thursday took to the streets across the country to protest against the amendments in the SCST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. In view of the ongoing protests and a Bharat bandh call given by some social organisations, the Madhya Pradesh police have tightened security across the state. While schools remain shut in a few districts, petrol pumps are closed all over Madhya Pradesh.