Click to play videoNew Delhi/Jaipur: The Rajasthan government on Saturday imposed the National Security Act (NSA) in 10 districts, which would allow authorities to make arrests without warrants.
The District Collectors of Jaipur, Kauroli, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Dausa, Alwar, Kota, Jhalawar and Dholpur has been asked to detain arsonists under the NSA, said Rajasthan’s Home Secretary V S Singh. People arrested under NSA won’t be allowed bail.
Meanwhile, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Karoli districts are now back to normal. Shoot at sight orders issued in Bharatpur and Sawai Madhopur still stand.
The state was relatively peaceful on Saturday after five days of clashes between the police and the Gurjar community, which is agitating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, killed several people and disrupted transport in the state.
No major clash was reported between Gurjars and the Meena community, which is against the Gurjars being given ST status.
''Except for a clash between Meenas and Gurjars in Ajmer district, the situation in the state was by and large peaceful,'' said the Home Secretary.
An unconfirmed report said the two communities fired at each other in Karauli and Hindaun.
Five people were killed and 20 injured in clashes between the two communities in Dausa and Karauli districts, taking the death toll to 25 since Gurjars started an agitation on May 29.
Talks fail
The fourth round of talks between the Gurjar leaders and the Rajasthan government has ended without any result in Jaipur in the evening but both sides agreed to meet again.
Gurjar leader Col (retired) Kirori Bhainsla accused the government of stonewalling the community’s efforts to get ST status.
“The government is deliberately delaying and denying due to polical reasons and vested interest that is political. If only recommendation had to be sent, it could have been done earlier and everything would have been harmonious,” said Bhainsla, who heads the Gurjar Sangharsh Samiti.
Gurjar leaders, who met in Delhi in the day, demanded that the Centre dismiss the state government and put Rajasthan under President's rule.
The leaders, who met at the residence of Haryana MP Avtar Singh Bharana, considered calling a Delhi bandh and blocking the entry of goods to the national capital.
But the government has accepted at least one demand of the Gurjars during the latest round of talks and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each person killed in the violence.
“We were able to make headway in today's talks. But Col Bhainsla must be present to reach a final agreement. I hope he will attend the talks tomorrow,” said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje at the end of the fourth round of talks on Saturday.
And in an apparent softening of stand by the Gurjars, Col Baisla has agreed to join the talks in Jaipur. His response came after the Chief Minister's invitation.
He also said the bodies of the six Gurjars killed earlier this week will now be cremated.
Raje under pressure
Meanwhile the crisis has turned into a battle of survival for Rajasthan Chief Minister, Maharani Vasundhara Raje Scindia as the senior BJP Leader Jaswant Singh has asked for the chief minister sacking for the alleged ineffective crisis management.
For five days, the Rajasthan government has been battling to tackle the Gurjar crisis.
The Chief Minister has not yet visited the trouble spot in Dausa.
And the Congress is trying to take advantage of the government bungling and sending out appeals.
“I appeal to the people of Rajasthan to maintain peace and calm,” said Congress MP Sacin Pilot.
The BJP top bosses met on Saturday to take stock of the situation and more importantly to decide if there was need for a change of guard.
But Jaswant Singh's move did not have too many takers and the BJP leadership is in touch with the Chief Minister.
“BJP has appealed for the restoration of law and order after which the state government will look into their demands,” said BJP President Rajnath Singh.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
