Rajasthan violence takes ugly turn: 4 more killed

Jaipur, June 1 (UNI) At least four more people were killed and 28 others injured today in a clash between members of Gujjar and Meena communities in Lalsot town of Dausa district in Rajasthan as bloodshed continued for a fourth day running with shoot-at-sight orders being issued in three districts and an ugly caste conflict looming large in the desert state.

According to an official spokesman, Gujjars tried to disrupt a 40,000-strong gathering of Meenas in the Lalsot. Both groups exchanged heavy stone pelting and later clashed in which at least four people were killed, taking the toll in the reservation issue to 25.

Trouble broke out in other parts as well with police firing in the air to disperse violent mobs.

The violence continued relentlessly despite leaders of the Gujjar Sangharsh Samiti, which is spearheading the agitation, calling for calm.

Shoot-at-sight orders were issued in Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur and Karauli districts for those found damaging public and private property and disrupting law and order in the district.

The Collectors issued the order which has come into effect from today and will be effective till June 7.

A group of violent protestors in Sawai Madhopur district tried to damage a railway bridge despite shoot-at-sight orders being promulgated in the district.

The trouble in the state affected thousands of people who were stranded at railway stations and bus depots waiting to go home as the Gujjars continued to block arterial highways leading to Agra, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.

Home Secretary V S Singh said tension also prevailed in Bhandarej(Dausa) and Bamanwas(Sawai Madhopur) in view of assembling of Meena and Gujjar groups in the wake of meetings of Meena communities in these areas. However, the autorities and leaders of both communities had succeeded in averting a possible clash.

Elsewhere in the state, agitating Gujjars burnt a police post in Mavai near Khetri and tried to damage a bridge between Ishrada and Chauth Ka Barwada railway staions in Sawai Madhopur.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Jaipur National Highway No 8 was reopened for traffic today but due to a lack of confidence in passengers and transport operators only a few vehicles plied today. The situation is expected to improve tomorrow.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state.

In a special appeal, Mrs Raje urged co-operation from all sections and caste and asked them not to indulge in violence or spread rumours unnecessarily.

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