Gujjar agitation; situation still tense

Jaipur, June 3 (UNI) The situation in areas affected by the Gujjar agitation was tense but peaceful even as efforts for a solution to the six-day-old agitation, for inclusion of Gujjar community in the ST list, continued here today.

The sixth round of talks between the state government and the Gujjar Reservation Action Committee leaders was expected to be held here later today.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said after a nine hour long round of talks here late last night that the talks advanced in right direction and further talks for finalisation of peacceful solution required the presence of Gujjar Reservation Action Committee Convenor Col Kirodi Singh Bainsla's presence.

She said, ''I am inviting Col Bainsla for talks in the next round tomorrow and I hope that he would join us and the solution to the protracted agitation will be achieved tomorrow.'' The agitating Gujjar community leaders also said they would accept an "honourable offer" from the government.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to next of kin of each deceased, was died in the violence during agitation since Tuesday last. She has also announced appropriate financial relief for the injured.

At least 25 people have died in the violence during the agitation.

Road and train services were now returning to normalcy gradually in most of the parts of the state but the Jaipur-Agra-Highway between Dausa and Mahuwa still continued to be blocked by the agitating Gujjar mobs.

UNI