Gujjars court arrest on Gandhi Jayanti

Thousands of Gujjars are courting arrest in their jail bharo movement in several parts of Rajasthan today to force the government to promulgate a law recognising them as Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Jaipur, Oct. 2 : Thousands of Gujjars are courting arrest in their "jail bharo" movement in several parts of Rajasthan today to force the government to promulgate a law recognising them as Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Gujjar leaders have claimed that over 500,000 members will court arrest.

The Gujjar community have decided to adopt "Gandhigiri" to achieve their objective on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

The Rajasthan government is not taking any chances, keeping in mind the violence that engulfed the State during the last violent agitation by Gujjars in June that claimed at least 25 lives.

Police have been deployed and open air 'prisons' have been set up to accommodate the striking Gujjars.

Hundreds of Gujjars in Kotputali, Pali, Chittorgarh, Kota, Jaipur rural, and Rajsamand villages were moving towards city limits to court arrest, an official said in Jaipur.

The Rajasthan government has created 259 temporary jails in schools, colleges, and playgrounds to lodge the agitators.

The Gujjars took the decision after deadline set by the community leaders for a positive response from the Government to their demands expired.

The Gujjars are annoyed that the Rajasthan Government extended the term of the Chopra Committee set up to look into the Gujjars' demands by three months just before its expiry last month.

"Every person from the Gujjar community will be in the jail and will stay there till the letter of recommendation from the government reaches there," said Gujjar leader Prahlad Gunjal.

The decision to court arrest was taken at the Gujjar 'mahapanchayat' (conglomeration) held in Rajasthan's Dholpur District last month.

A core committee comprising of 21 members was also formed then to take decisions on behalf of the community in future.

The Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee was appointed as per the agreement reached between the community and the State Government, to pacify the violent agitation by Gujjars in June.

The community members alleged that the Government has failed in providing adequate compensation to the families of victims of the police action during the agitation three months back.

They also said that those injured in the police action were not given free treatment or jobs to their kin as was agreed by the Government.

Tight security arrangements have been made to avoid any kind of untoward incident during the Gujjar protest today.

Security has been tightened across 21 districts and Prohibitory orders have been imposed in 18 districts.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that police forces have been pressed into service along all the major routes, including where the Gujjars will court arrests.

"We have also sought police force from the Centre and deployed it. Our efforts are aimed at ensuring that it passes off peacefully," Kataria added.

The state government has made arrangements for food and lodging, if the agitators do not seek bail, officials said.

Twenty-two places in 14 affected districts have been turned into cantonment with deployment of CRPF, Rapid Action Force, BSF, and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, they added.

Remaining 27 districts have been equipped with additional forces to meet any exigency.

Assuring that their protests will be non-violent, Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla said: "It's Gandhi birthday. We are always open to negotiations. I want all decisions to be taken by mutual understanding."

ANI