After protest, cops backtrack on curbs during Raje’s yatra
Barmer police imposed restrictions on people living within 100 metres of the Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra meeting venue, but withdrew them after protests by locals.
On August 28, police served notices to people, asking them to stay indoors from 2pm to the end of the meeting on September 1.
“It is informed to you that the chief minister is taking out Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra… Public meeting has been scheduled at Adharsh Stadium… During the VIP visit no stranger should stay at your home... Neither your family member nor any other person, while going to rooftop, should indulge in any unwanted activity like raising black flags, shouting anti-government slogans, throwing stones… Your house should not be utilised by any organisation or person to protest against the VIP,” said the notice signed by Surendra Kumar, circle inspector at the city police station.
Despite repeated efforts to contact Kumar, he did not pick the call. After receiving the notices, people approached public representatives.
Barmer superintendent of police Manish Agarwal said he was unaware about the notices. “I will look into the matter and appropriate action will be taken against the officer responsible for it.”
After the notices went viral on social media and media persons enquired the police department about the move, police withdrew the notices.
“On Wednesday some policemen came to my home and served a notice to my wife. They took the signature of my wife. After some media persons approached us on Thursday, policemen asked us to return the notice,” said Surendra Gaur, a local man who received the notice. “Though we have returned the notice to them, police did not give us the copy on which they took my wife’s signature. I am worried about it.”
After the attack on the Gaurav Yatra in Jodhpur region, Barmer authorities are taking steps to avoid unwanted incidents in the area. Security measures around the meeting venue have been beefed up.
The opposition Congress lashed out at the government over the issue.
“Congress stood for people’s voice as it is their constitutional right to oppose in a peaceful manner. People are fed up with government; that’s why they are protesting against the fake claims of the chief minister. It is their democratic right,” said Harish Choudhary, former MP and Congress national secretary.
“Bharaiya Janat Party has no faith in democratic values and they have repeatedly proved it. Earlier they have passed a gag bill in the state assembly and now they are curbing democratic rights of people,” he alleged.
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