Independent Candidate Naresh Meena Allegedly Assaults Election Official During Rajasthan Bypoll

An independent candidate for the Deoli-Uniara assembly bypoll allegedly assaulted a sub-divisional officer on election duty, officials reported. The incident led to a demand from the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) association for the arrest of the candidate, Naresh Meena, who is accused of slapping Malpura SDM Amit Chaudhary. The association threatened a pen-down strike if no action was taken by Thursday morning.

Voting for seven assembly seats in Rajasthan took place on Wednesday. Naresh Meena, a Congress rebel, reportedly grabbed Chaudhary by the collar and slapped him. District election officer and Tonk Collector Saumya Jha stated that residents of Samravta village had declared a boycott of the bypoll, with Meena supporting their stance. The village is currently under Nagar Fort tehsil, but villagers want it moved to Uniara tehsil for proximity reasons.

Protests Turn Violent

Meena staged a protest in Samravta village, urging his supporters to join him. The situation escalated when police attempted to disperse Meena and his followers. According to officials, the crowd responded by throwing stones at police officers and setting two vehicles on fire. Police used tear gas to control the unrest.

Chaudhary had visited the village to persuade residents to vote when the alleged assault occurred. Jha mentioned that villagers' demand for tehsil reassignment was raised recently and would be addressed after lifting the model code of conduct. Meanwhile, Meena encouraged Deoli-Uniara constituency residents to bring complaints about roads or water issues to the protest site.

Administrative Response

The RAS Council convened an evening meeting following the incident. Neetu Rajeshwar, its general secretary, announced that RAS officers would boycott government work through a pen-down strike if Meena was not arrested by Thursday morning. This action underscores the seriousness with which they view the assault on an election official.

Meena's call for supporters to gather with sticks aimed to pressure authorities further. He also invited residents with grievances to present them at the protest site for district collectors' attention. This move highlights ongoing tensions between local demands and administrative processes.

The unfolding events in Samravta village reflect broader challenges in managing electoral processes and maintaining law and order during contentious political periods. The situation remains tense as authorities navigate these complex dynamics while ensuring public safety and upholding democratic principles.