Gujjar agitation: Shoot-at-sight-orders issued in four Rajasthan districts(Update: Gujjars)

Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in four districts of Rajasthan in the wake of clashes between Gujjars, Meenas and law enforcement personnel.

Jaipur /Faridabad, June 1 : Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in four districts of Rajasthan in the wake of clashes between Gujjars, Meenas and law enforcement personnel.

Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil on Friday appealed for calm as the agitation over a Gujjar demand for Schedule Tribe (ST) status has spiraled out of control.

The turmoil that began four days ago has claimed so far 23 lives. Two deaths were reported from Laslot in Rajasthan. A member of the Meena community was shot dead by unidentified people in Karauli District this morning.

Gujjar protestors continued to attack Government property and vehicles in several districts, forcing the authorities to issue shoot-at-sight orders in Rupwas, Bayana, Sawai Madhopur and in parts of Bharatpur districts.

The directives along with prohibitory orders were issued under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). It will remain in force till June 6 in all four districts, sources said.

Governor Patil has appealed to Gujjar community leaders to resolve their issue through dialogue.

"Resolution to every problem is possible only through peaceful means.I appeal to all those party to the conflict, to maintain peace in the State, country and in the public interest. No one should take law in their hands and public property should not be damaged. Entire nation would be affected if the conflict continues. The matter should be resolved amicably and lawfully," Patil told reporters in Jaipur.

Wary of their ST status, the Meenas, a dominant community in the desert state, too have got into a direct confrontation with the Gujjars.

The Meena community is organising a Maha-panchayat in Nangal Pyaribaas about 18 kms from Dausa, to decide their future course of action.

People from the Meena community were reported to be carrying lathis and iron rods to the Mahapanchayat.

Vehicular and railway traffic remained obstructed as train passengers as well as truck drivers have been stranded for the fifth day on highways and railway stations in Rajasthan, a popular destination for foreign tourists. In all, 40 trains have been affected.

Thousands of Gujjars are still blocking the Jaipur-Agra segment of National Highway 11 between Peepalkheda and Patoli, keeping vigil over the bodies of six victims, who died in Tuesday's police firing.

Traffic on the Jaipur-Kota and Jaipur-Delhi highway is badly hit. The army has been deployed in seven districts of Rajasthan- Kota, Boondi, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Karauli and Jhalawar.

Security forces in large numbers have been deployed in Mahua, Kota, Kotputli and Tonk districts while most parts of eastern Rajasthan, including Bhilwara, Alwar, Nagaur, Sikar, Kota Gramin and Ajmer are observing a shutdown.

Gujjar-dominated pockets in Haryana and Delhi too witnessed protests for the second day on Friday with police firing in the air after a crowd of about 200 people had blocked the Delhi-Faridabad Highway and set a police jeep on fire in the Ankhir Chowk area.

Protestors also blocked the Sohna-Faridabad road at Pali and Bahri areas in the Faridabad District.

The Mehrauli-Gurgaon road has also been blocked at Aaya Nagar, one of the main roads from Delhi to Gurgaon.

Media reports said tension is rising between the Gujjars and the Meenas.

Two rounds of talks between Gujjar representatives and the State Governmenthis week have failed and a third round is planned later today.

However, the delegation of Gujjars negotiating with the State Government in Jaipur is expecting a positive outcome.

Senior Gujjar leaders camping at Patoli and Peepalkheda in Dausa District have asserted that they would continue their agitation if the fourth round of talks fail.

Some Gujjar leaders have also expressed concern over the loss of life and property, and said that they are thinking of changing the nature of their agitation, and adopting Gandhian way.

The Gujjars protests are said to be well-planned prior information has been given to the authorities about the places or properties likely to be attacked.

The authorities, however, have failed to control the violence despite the prior warning.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are meeting in Delhi today to review the situation.

ANI