Gujjars led by Kirori Singh Bainsla on Monday occupied rail tracks near Bayana in Bharatpur district to press for their reservation demand, even as the Gehlot government stated that it would try to solve the issue through talks.
“We have occupied rail tracks near Pilukapura area and will move only after the government fulfils our demands,” Col. (Retd.) Bainsla told PTI over phone.
“I have directed my people to begin the agitation across the State and will call off only after the State government fulfils our demands of five per cent reservation, withdrawal of cases against Gujjar agitators and their release from jail,” he said, adding that the agitation would be peaceful.
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Railway authorities have stopped train movements in the area due to security reasons after considering the situation.
Senior administration and police officials, including District Collector K. Kunal, IG Bharatpur range Madhusudan Singh, are also camping at Bayana to monitor the situation.
“Elaborate security arrangements have been done to keep situation under control and we are reviewing the situation near the site,” Mr. Kunal said.
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Due to security reasons, the Nizamuddin-Kota Janshatabdi Express has been stopped by railway authorities at the Bharatpur station, a railway police official said.
Meanwhile, senior government officials held a meeting in Jaipur to review the situation.
Earlier in the day, another Gujjar faction led by Ramvir Singh Bidhudi extended support to Col. Bainsla to make the agitation stronger.
Rajasthan Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal on Monday said that the situation was being monitored.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation and will try to solve the issue by holding talks with Gujjars,” the Minister said.