Rajasthan peaceful as tension eases

Jaipur, June 5 (UNI) The situation in Rajasthan, paralysed for the past one week due to the violent Gujjar quota agitation, was fast returning to normal today with no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state.

State Director General of Police A S Gill told UNI that the situation was peaceful throughout the state.

The paramilitary and Army forces have started withdrawing from the sensitive areas and the withdrawal will be completed within the next two to three days.

Principal Home Secretary V S Singh also said the state was returning to normalcy with no reports of any tension or clashes.

He also confirmed the withdrawal of forces, saying the 39 columns of Army, 36 companies of central security forces including 13 of the Rapid Action Force would complete their withdrawal in a phased manner over the next few days. Adequate state police personnel were also deployed in the riot-hit state to maintain law and order.

Traffic on the major national highways including the worst-hit Jaipur-Agra NH-11 meanwhile, resumed today after Gujjars lifted their blockade. The Jaipur-Delhi highway has also started functioning smoothly with buses from both sides resuming their regular services.

The Gujjar community had held the state to ransom over the past week with their demand for ST status, triggering largescale violence in the state, which claimed 25 lives and paralysed road and rail services.

Reports from Bhilwara, however, said 15 electronic detonators were found in the backyard of Devnarayan Temple in Kareda village, 60 km from the town today. Out of the 15, at least four were live.

The police stumbled upon the ticking detonators when a ragpicker Ashok Harijan, while sifting through garbage in a dilapidated ANM building in the backyard of Devanarayan temple, was seriously injured when one of the live detonators burst in his hand.

The police have defused the live detonators. The area has a sizeable number of Gujjars, with the temple considered an important pilgrim centre for the community.

UNI