Gujjar agitation to seek ST status nationwide: Bainsla

Panipat, June 12 (UNI) Col (Retd) Kirori Mal Bainsla, leader of Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti today asserted that their agitation will be expanded to seek the Scheduled Tribe status for the community nationwide.

''The Gujjar agitation for the ST status will continue in peaceful way and it will not be confined to Gujjars in Rajasthan but would be for the entire community in the country", Col Bansla told mediapersons here today.

Addressing a press meet at the residence of HPCC Secretary, Anju Chhokar, Col Bainsla expressed his satisfaction over setting up of a high power committee by the Rajasthan Government to examine their demand and said the agreement between the Rajasthan government and the Samiti would bring positive results.

Col Bainsla declined to comment on the Supreme Court's observation about the damage to life and property and political implications of the agitation.

However, responding to a query about the SC seeking the action taken report from four states against the destroyers of public property, Col Baisla accused the police of acting like a ''barbaric force'' and alleged that people of the Gujjar community were ''wrongly booked'' in criminal cases by the police.

The suspended BJP legislators from Rajasthan, Attar Singh Bhadana and Prahalad Singh Gunjan criticised Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje ''her failure to tackle the issue'' and expressed apprehension that the report of the high power committee might not come on time.

They also accused the police of 'foisting' cases against the Gujjar leaders.

UNI