Sachin Pilot injured in police-Congress supporters clash

Jaipur, March 4: At least 40 persons, including Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot and 10 policemen, were injured on Tuesday when police tried to stop party workers who attempted to 'gherao' the Assembly to protest against Centre's ordinance on land acquisition Act.

"At least 10 policemen and as many Congress workers, including Sachin Pilot, were injured," the police said. PCC spokesperson Archan Sharma said, "Pilot has received minor bruises in the canecharge." A case against protesters was registered at Jyoti Nagar police station.

Thirty of the injured were admitted to SMS hospital in the city while rest were in other hospitals. The Congress workers were protesting against the Centre's new land bill and power tariff hike in Rajasthan.

Police had to resort to mild lathicharge to disperse the protesters who tried to break barricades for entry into the Assembly's cordoned area at Jyoti Nagar barricade point, DCP Ravi Dutt Gaur said.

"In retaliation, the protesters pelted stones at the police, injuring 10 cops," the DCP said.

Over 100 Congress workers and PCC president Pilot courted arrest under section 129 of CrPC, and later released at different places near Jaipur, he said.

Earlier at the Udyog Maidan, the Congress workers, led by Youth Congress National President Amrendra Singh Raja and state president Ashok Chandana (MLA), organised a meeting and marched towards the Assembly, the DCP said.

The protest was organised as the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission has announced revised power tariffs for different consumer categories, permitting Discoms to increase domestic electricity charges by around 16 per cent (85 paise per unit) and non-domestic usages charges by around 19 per cent.

The average increase for all categories is 16.89 per cent. The fixed charges too were increased for all categories and the hike ranges between Rs 20 and Rs 50 per connection per month.

PTI