Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has appealed for peace to the people in Rajasthan even as escalating inter–caste violence threatens to breakdown law and order situation in the state.
"The events of the past few days in parts of Rajasthan have caused a great deal of pain and distress to large numbers of people. Sadly, many lives have been lost, plunging their families into grief," Prime Minister Singh said.
"My heart grieves for all those who have lost their family members and those who have suffered injuries," the prime minister said, adding, "I appeal to all sections of society to desist from actions which may lead to further violence and distress and which will disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens."
The trouble started Tuesday, May 29, when a road blockade announced by the Gujjars, to press for their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status which, under Indian law, would benefit them with government jobs and education opportunities, took a violent turn during which 14 people, including a policeman, were killed when police fired into crowds at Dausa and Bundi areas to stop mobs from blocking the arterial Jaipur–Agra highway.
Since the start of the agitation on May 29, at least 25 people were reported to have been killed in the clashes that have spread to the Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Alwar and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan and in neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
A "bandh" (strike) has also been called by the Gujjar community in New Delhi on Monday, June 4. In the wake of the bandh call, the Delhi police have made adequate security arrangements in the capital and are keeping a close watch on the developments. The police have also appealed to members of the Gujjar community to maintain peace and not to resort to any traffic blockade or vandalism.
Apprehensive about being left behind by more upwardly mobile other backward classes (OBC) groups like the Meenas and the Jats, the Gujjars started the movement for getting the ST tag and concommitant quota benefits.
The Meena community is the dominant Scheduled Tribe community in Rajasthan.
The Gujjars belong to the northwestern parts of India. Most of them are Hindus except those in Muslim–majority Kashmir state, who follow Islam. They have traditionally been farmers on the plains and shepherds in the hills.
With violence flaring up along roads leading to Jaipur, the central government has rushed 2,000 paramilitary troops to Rajasthan and more have been readied for deployment. Reinforcements also came in from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has enforced the National Security Act (NSA) in 14 violence–hit districts, including Ajmer, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Kota and Dausa, with immediate effect in the wake of continuing caste clashes.
Nation
Gujjar protest turns violent, PM appeals for peace in Rajasthan
By: Jacob Chatterjee
Monday, 4 June 2007, 12:01 (IST)
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