Gujjars call off protests, 17-day stir ends

New Delhi, Jan 6 (ANI): Gujjars, demanding five per cent quota in jobs in Rajasthan, on Wednesday night called off their seventeen day agitation after the state government assured them that it will complete within six months the quantifiable data collection for the purpose.

"I have called off the agitation. I am satisfied with what the state government has offered to us," Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla said after holding talks with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and a Committee of Ministers appointed by the state government.

"The Government has promised that the quantifiable data shall be ready within six months. Four per cent backlog will be kept while one per cent reservation will continue. Many other facilities for students have also been promised," he added.

A delegation of around 40 members led by Bainsla first held a meeting with the committee of ministers comprising Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal, Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, and Transport Minister B K Sharma.

After the meeting, the Gujjar leaders signed an agreement with the state government and later met Chief Minister at the CMO and called off the agitation.

According to the agreement, the government has promised to dispose the cases lodged against the agitators. A three-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) will decide upon 170 cases in which chargesheets have been filed in courts.

The committee will take decision within two months on such cases. Remaining 254 cases lodged during 2010-2011 will also be disposed within the same duration.

The government has already announced to start recruitment on one lakh vacant posts in the state services and now four percent (4,000) shall be kept reserved for SBC category.

The breakthrough came after seventeen days of protest during which Gujjars blocked railway tracks and roads. (ANI)