Five arrested for attacking Raj minister with chilly powder

Jaipur, Feb 25 (PTI) Five persons have been arrestedfor allegedly attacking a Rajasthan minister by hurling chillypowder at him during a marriage function in the state''sJhunjhunu district, police said today.

Minister of State for Health Rajkumar Sharma had goneto attend a marriage function in Dumra village in Nawalgarhtown, 273 kms from here, when a group of persons led by localvillage head Budhram suddenly hurled chilly power at theminister last night.

"The main accused, Budhram, is absconding, but wearrested his brother Sahi Ram and four others namely Vijay,Sanjeev Kumar, Jagdish and Bhagirath late last night who wereinvolved in the crime," Additional Superintended of PoliceBihari Lal said.

He said that one of the attackers, who was in femaleattire, threw chilly power into the eyes of the minister and asub-inspector.

The accused tried to escape in a vehicle but theywere soon nabbed, another official said.

Political rivalry between two group, one led byBudhram and the other of former Sarpanch Ram Gopal who isclose of the minister, was said to be motive behind the crime,the officer said.