Gujjar leaders meet BJP President Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Jun 1 (UNI) The BJP leadership today appealed to all communities, particularly Gujjars, to help in restoring normalcy in Rajasthan even as the state remained comparatively peaceful.

Party sources said that leaders of the All India Gujjar Mahasabha and Gujjar Development Council called on party President Rajnath Singh and sought his intervention to direct Rajasthan Chief MInister to consider their demands sympethically, failing which it would be difficult for them to withdraw their agitation.

Mr Singh however urged them not to do anything to further escalate the situation. The foremost priority should be to establish peace and social amity in the state and they should cooperate in it, he said.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the party leadership was in touch with Chief Minister Vasundara Raje to keep itself abreast of the situation.

Expressing serious concern over torching of police stations in various parts of the state by agitating Gujjars in a very "organised manner", he said it was very disturbing. "There seems to be a conspiracy to disturb peace and social harmony in Rajasthan,'' he said, but however declined to comment if he foresaw the hand of any political party behind it.

"We are appealing to all the communities and political parties to cooperate in establishing peace in the state," he said.

Mr Prasad remained evasive when asked the reasons why the State Government was taking so much time to announce an inquiry into the police firing on Wednesday in which at least four people were killed and several injured and also the compensation for the victims.

"The talks are going on. All aspects are being considered in the composite talks the Group of Ministers (Rajasthan) was holding with Gujjar leaders and leaders of the other communities," he said.

Asked if he could given the time frame by which the situation will be resolved, Mr Prasad was non-committal. "The talks are being held in Jaipur. How can I give a specific time when situation will be diffused," he said.

When his attention was drawn to a reported clash between Gujjars and Meenas resulting in the death of many, he termed it ''unfortunate." UNI KAS/MCN VD RS1848