NSA imposed in 10 districts of Rajasthan

Jaipur, June 2 (UNI) The Rajasthan government today imposed the National Security Act (NSA) in the ten violence-hit districts here even as uneasy calm prevailed with no fresh incidents of violence reported in the state.

The situation in the state was ''tense but under control'' on the fifth day of the Gujjar pro-reservation stir, which has claimed 24 lives so far.

Home Secretary V S Singh said under the NSA, the District Collectors of Jaipur, Kauroli, Bharatpur, Sawai Adhopur, Bundi, Dausa, Alwar, Kota, Jhalawar and Dholpur have been empowered to detain miscreants found indulging in destruction of public property.

''Except a single incident of clash between Meenas and Gujjars reported from Pisangan in Ajmer district, the situation in the state was by and large peaceful,'' he said.

Mr Singh said the Jaipur-Delhi (NH8) route has been made fully operational with Rajasthan Roadways buses resuming services on this route. Train services on the trunk route of Delhi-Mathura-Mumbai was restored today.

The Dausa-Mauhva portion of the Jaipur-Agra route continued to be disrupted, he said, adding the road transport on the Jaipur-Kota route was diverted via Bundi.

He said about 2500 tourists stranded at the Mendipur Balagi temple have been evacuated while arrangments were being made for the transportation of as many passengers left in the temple.

Mr Singh said 39 columns of Army, 36 companies of Central security forces, including 13 Rapid Action Forces, were assisting 70,000-strong state police to restore normalcy in the riot-hit state.

However, all hopes of the resolution of the reservation tangle hinges on the talks being held between the Gujjar leaders and the government.

UNI