GUJJAR PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT AS POLICE CARS TORCHED IN RAJ

JAIPUR: As many as six policemen were injured as Gujjar protesters demanding 5% special reservation for their community opened fire, burnt police vehicles and threw stones in Rajasthan’s Dholpur district on Sunday.

The agitation, in its third day, also affected rail traffic as two trains were cancelled on Sunday. Seven trains were diverted, said a railways official who was not authorised to speak to the media.

Rajasthan’s director general of police (law and order) ML Lather said three cases have been registered against the agitators.

Dholpur superintendent of police Ajay Singh said the protesters blocked the Agra-morena highway in Sawai Madhopur and threw stones at policemen stationed there. “The police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob,” he said.

Singh said the protesters fired at them using country-made pistols. “The situation is under control and around four to six police personnel received injuries.”

Kirori Lal Bainsala, chief of Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (GASS), which is leading the agitation for the reservation, has threatened to “intensify” the stir from Monday.