Gujjar Quota Stir in Rajasthan: 18 Trains Plying on February 10 Cancelled, 13 Trains Diverted
A total of 18 trains plying on February 10 have been cancelled due to an ongoing protest by Gujjars demanding five percent reservation in government jobs and educational institutes.
Jaipur, February 10: A total of 18 trains plying on February 10 have been cancelled due to an ongoing protest by Gujjars demanding five percent reservation in government jobs and educational institutes. In addition to these, 10 trains plying on Monday, 12 trains running on February 12 and 15 trains running on February 13 are also cancelled. Meanwhile, 13 trains of the Northern Railway commencing on February 11 and five trains running on February 12 have also been diverted. Rajasthan Govt Issues Circular Mandating 1% Reservation For Gujjars, Four Other Communities Under MBC Category.
Earlier in the day, the protesters also blocked railway tracks between Sawai Madhopur-Bayana section (Malarna-Nimoda block section) on North-Western Railway, causing inconvenience to thousands of commuters. In the wake of the protests in the state, the CPRO West Central Railway has informed that a total of ten trains have been diverted/short terminated or cancelled on Sunday. Gujjar Reservation Protest: 5 Trains Cancelled, 15 Diverted on Delhi-Mumbai Route: Two State Exams Also Postponed.
The protest today turned violent as a clash broke out between police and protesters at Dholpur Highway. The protesters blocked the road and set vehicles ablaze. According to media reports, the Rajasthan police resorted to firing to prevent members of the Gujjar community from blocking a highway connecting Dholpur to Gwalior.
Meanwhile, Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla refused to call off the protest until their demands are met. Talking to ANI, Bainsla said, “We will stay here until a decision is taken, until we get 5 percent reservation.” Bainsla and his supporters started a sit-in on the rail tracks in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur. The Gujjar leader last month gave a 20-day ultimatum to the state government to clear its stand on over the reservation demand, failing which he threatened of reviving the quota agitation. As the deadline lapsed on Friday, Bainsla held a 'maha panchayat' at Malarna Doongar and started the sit-in.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2019 07:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).