The Hindu : Front Page : Rajasthan on the boil, 4 die in police firing

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Friday, Jun 01, 2007
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Rajasthan on the boil, 4 die in police firing

Sunny Sebastian

Talks with Gujjars break down; Vasundhara calls on Governor, holds all-party meeting

THE FIRE RAGES ON: Buses parked near the Jagpura police station in Kota, Rajasthan, set on fire by agitating Gujjars on Thursday. — Photo courtesy: Rajasthan Patrika

JAIPUR: With 26 out of the 30 districts hit by violence, Rajasthan continued to be on the boil on the third day of Gujjars' agitation for Scheduled Tribe status.

Four persons died when the police opened fire at two places in Sawai Madhopur district on Thursday. With this, the death toll in police action and mob violence in Dausa, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Bundi districts has risen to 20.

Flag march in Kota

After widespread violence and incidents of arson during a bandh, troops held a flag march in Kota town. Normal life was affected in at least six districts including Jaipur, following a bandh call.

Thousands of Gujjars continued to block the Jaipur-Agra segment of National Highway 11 between Peepalkheda and Patoli, keeping vigil over the bodies of six victims, who died in Tuesday's police firing. Meanwhile, talks between the Group of Ministers, deputed by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and Gujjar leaders broke down after the second round, but the reasons were not known. The first round was held in Dausa and later the Gujjar representatives, delegated by Gujjar Mahasabha leader Kirori Singh, were brought here for the second round.

Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, however, expressed optimism over the prospects of an early resumption of the dialogue. "There is nothing unusual about talks breaking down. There are so many aspects involved while negotiating agitations like this." There is another cause of concern — confrontation between two communities. Meenas, an ST community co-existing with the backward Gujjars, are worried about the prospects of the latter getting into the ST fold and claiming a share of reservation benefits.

The developments in Dausa, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur were particularly worrisome, as Meenas gathered in large numbers at the Meen Bhagwan mandir, dedicated to a caste deity near Mehndipur Balaji in Toda Bhim tehsil of Karauli during the day. They also gathered at Sapotra, Nadauti, Bomli and other towns, threatening to lift the roadblock imposed by the Gujjars on NH 11.

Gujjar leaders accused the State Government of inciting Meenas against them. Gopi Chand Gujjar, former BJP MLA and vice-president of the All-India Gujjar Mahasabha, told The Hindu that the talks were a drama and sought the intervention of the BJP central leadership.

On a day of rapid developments, the Chief Minister called on Governor Pratibha Patil. Along with Ms. Raje were the Home Minister, Chief Secretary Anil Vaish, Principal Secretary (Home), V.S. Singh and Director-General of Police A.S. Gill. Ms. Patil met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in Delhi on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister also convened an all-party meeting at her residence. Attended by leaders of the Congress, the BJP, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the CPI, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, the meeting resolved to work together for the restoration of peace and normality.

"Rajasthan is traditionally known for peace and harmony and non-violent agitations," said a statement issued after the meeting.

"We suggested that the Government open channels of dialogue with Meenas as well for the sake of lasting peace," CPI leader Tara Singh Siddhu said.

BJP response

In its first official response, the BJP termed the situation "explosive." However, party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar, who met journalists here, ruled out intervention by the BJP central leadership. He said there was no role for the Centre either.

The reservation issue should be looked at in an all-India perspective, Mr. Javadekar said.

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