Rajputs stage protest against BJP legislator's arrest

Sriganganagar, Nov 16 (UNI) Hundreds of Rajputs under the 'Rajput Karni Sena' banner staged protests and dharnas here today against the arrest of suspended BJP legislator Surendra Singh Rathore.

The BJP MLA was arrested yesterday from his residence along with his nephew Jaiwardan Singh Rathore for not being present in court in connection with a case of assaulting corporator Krishan Sihag four year ago. Both, however, were later released on bail.

The Rajputs have alleged that Rathore's nephew, who is also the jailor of Hnaumangarh jail, was beaten up on the way to police station and was arrested under a false case.

State Vice-President of Rajput Karni Sena' Rajeev Singh said that BJP MLA's arrest yesterday was part of a political conspiracy as Mr Rathore is considered outspoken and has personally attacked Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje many a times.

The Rajputs assembled at city's Jawahar Nagar police station and demanded that a case be lodged against the guilty policemen.

The Rajputs had planned to lay seige at the city's Collectorate but could not do so in view of the tight security arrangements there.

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