Gujjar leaders condemn police 'atrocities' during agitation

Jaipur, June 14 (UNI) Gujjar leaders, including the two suspended BJP MLAs today condemned the state government for allegedly giving the police ''a free hand'' to suppress the community's agitation for ST status.

A Gujjar Mahapanchayat held in protest against the cases lodged by the district police against those involved in the week-long agitation, charged that even the death of 25 people could not ''jolt'' the government.

The Mahapanchayat, organised at Paniyala Mode in Kotputli, reiterated the demand for ST status to the community.

The rally was addressed by suspended BJP Gujjar MLAs Prhalad Gunjal and Atar Singh Bhadana. Alwar district Gujjar Sabha president Sardara Ram Gujjar presided over the meeting.

The leaders urged the community to work unitedly and fight for their right to be included in ST list. They said the Mahapanchayat on June 24 in Pushkar, which all Gujjar panchayats are expected to attend, will decide the future action plan.

The leaders said the Union government will take a final decision on their demand and the state government has to just send its recommendations.

Prominent among those present in the Mahapanchayat were Ram Singh Prabhakar and Ramchandra Vidhuri.

UNI