Gujjar Quota Stir in Rajasthan: Protest Turns Violent as Agitators Open Fire, Set Ablaze Police Vehicles
The protests by Gujjars demanding five percent reservation in government jobs and education in Rajasthan turned violent on Sunday as a clash broke out between police and protesters at Dholpur Highway.
Jaipur, February 10: The protest by Gujjars demanding five percent reservation in government jobs and education in Rajasthan turned violent on Sunday 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. Gujjar Reservation Protest: 5 Trains Cancelled, 15 Diverted on Delhi-Mumbai Route: Two State Exams Also Postponed.
The incident took place on Day three of the protest when the protesters moved to occupy National Highway 3. However, no casualty was reported due to the firing. The protesters have torched two police vehicles. 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.”
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing protest, 18 trains of Northern Railway plying on Sunday were cancelled. A total of 10 trains plying tomorrow, 12 trains plying on February12 and 15 trains plying on February 13 are also cancelled.
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.
On February 8, Bainsla and his supporters blocked the rail tracks. The protesters are demanding five per cent reservation to Gujjars, Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar, Banjara and Gadaria communities in government jobs and educational institutions. Due to the ongoing protest by the Gujjar community in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur, on Saturday also, five trains have been cancelled, while 15 others were diverted in Kota Division of Western Central railway. Meanwhile, Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2019 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).