Shots fired, vans torched as Gujjar stir turns violent

Jaipur/ New Delhi, Feb. 10: The Gujjar community’s agitation for demanding five per cent quota in jobs and education institutions in Rajasthan turned violent on Sunday with protesters firing gun shots and torching police vehicles in Dholpur district and blocking road and rail traffic in many areas. At least 20 trains were cancelled and seven diverted during the day as the Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti continued its sit- in on tracks that began on Friday.

Violence broke out in Dholpur district as unidentified miscreants fired 8- 10 rounds in the air during a blockade on the Agra- Morena road, the police said.

The protesters set afire two police jeeps and a bus and pelted stones, forcing the police to lob tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Three cases have been registered, the police added.

Jaipur/ New Delhi, Feb. 10: The Gujjar community agitation demanding five per cent quota in jobs and education turned violent Sunday with shots being fired and police vehicles torched in Dholpur district and protesters blocking road and rail traffic in many areas in Rajasthan.

The Rajasthan government Sunday pasted a notice at the residence of Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, who is leading a protest by the community that turned violent in some areas and saw rail and road traffic being disrupted, warning him against violation of court directives on agitation.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under CrPc section 144 in Dholpur and neighbouring Karauli districts, police said.

At least 20 trains were cancelled and seven diverted during the day as the protesters, led by the Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti chief Kirori Singh Bainsla, continued their sit- in on railway tracks in Sawai Madhopur district for the third day on Sunday, officials said.

The sit- in began on Friday evening and has affected the movement of over 250 trains through the region since.

The agitators also blocked highways connecting major cities on Sunday.

According to police officials, three cases have been registered in connection with the blocking of traffic.

Violence broke out in Dholpur district as unidentified miscreants fired 8- 10 rounds in the air while a blockade on the Agra-Morena Highway was in place, superinten- dent of police Ajay Singh said. The protesters set afire three police vehicles — two jeeps and a bus, he added.

The SP said the protesters also pelted stones, injuring four cops. As traffic movement came to a halt, vehicles were diverted to other routes.

◗ Police vehicles were torched, trains were disrupted and highways were blocked as the protesters led by the Kirori Singh Bainsla continued their sit- in on railway tracks.