Gurjars Clash with Police in Dadri During Unauthorised Mahapanchayat Event

In Dadri, a Gurjar Mahapanchayat was halted by authorities, resulting in clashes between community members and police. Twenty-two individuals have been booked following the incident, which arose from demands for political representation and the removal of a historical board.

On Sunday, the Meerut district administration halted a Gurjar Mahapanchayat, reportedly organised without official approval. This led to allegations of stone pelting by some community members at police officers attempting to manage the situation, according to officials. The police have filed a case against 22 named individuals and others involved, although they denied any stone pelting occurred.

The Mahapanchayat was planned in Kapsad village to address issues like the removal of a board bearing the name of Rajput ruler Mihir Bhoj and the Gurjar community's demand for political representation. However, the administration did not approve the event. Anticipating the gathering, a significant police presence, including PAC personnel, was stationed in Dadri and nearby areas leading to Kapsad.

Police Intervention and Community Reaction

Trouble began when police detained several individuals, including Ravindra Bhati, national president of the Rashtriya Veer Gurjar Sangharsh Samiti, near Dadri Morh on NH-58. According to locals, this action angered the crowd, who allegedly began throwing stones at the officers. Abhinav Motla, a resident of Dadri, then arrived with over 200 men, resulting in a clash with the police.

Locals reported that stones were thrown at police near the railway line on Dadri-Mandora road before officers dispersed the crowd. SP City Ayush Vikram Singh stated, "Police received information that some people were trying to hold a rally and disturb peace in the name of a Mahapanchayat. To maintain law and order, some men were taken into custody. There was no stone pelting. Police controlled the situation and dispersed the crowd."

Investigation and Legal Actions

The police are examining viral videos of the incident to identify those responsible. An FIR has been registered, and multiple teams have been formed to investigate further. The authorities are committed to maintaining peace and ensuring that such incidents do not disrupt public order.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions over political representation and historical recognition within the Gurjar community. The administration's swift response aimed to prevent escalation while addressing community grievances through legal channels.

With inputs from PTI