Bandhs in Rajasthan: situation tense but peaceful

Jaipur, May 30 (UNI) Bandhs were today organised at different places in Rajasthan on a call from State Gujjar Reservation Action Committee even as no untoward incident was reported so far following yesterday's violence and police firing which left 14, including a policeman, dead.

Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said bandhs were reported from a number of places in the state except Bikaner and Jodhpur divisions, in protest against the police firing.

He said the police and administration was keeping a tight vigil, however, situation was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere since last night.

Meanwhile, the agitators have agreed for handing over the bodies of the victims to authorities for post mortems, Mr Kataria said.

The situation was still tense in violence-hit areas of Patoli in Dausa district and Bundi even as army and police forces were maintaining extra vigil.

Bodies of seven people, including that of a policemen, in Patoli's police firing were still in the agitating Gujjars' possession and the authorities were trying to get the bodies for the post-mortem.

The Agra-Jaipur national highway was still blocked near Patoli in Dausa district.

Fourteen people were killed in violence and police firing in Dausa and Bundi districts yesterday during protests and chakka jams by Gujjars who were demanding their inclusion in Schduled Tribe category.

Army was called out to assist the civil administration in dealing with the situation.

UNI