Gujjar reservation protest hits train movement
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Jaipur: Train movement was hit after the members of the Gujjar community occupied railway tracks in Rajasthan's Bharatpur during their protest seeking reservation in jobs and education, officials said. Half a dozen trains whose schedule has been hit by the protest include Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express, Indore-Nizamuddin Express, Awadh Express and Amritsar-Bandra Express.
According to reports, some youths also damaged the fishplates, affecting the smooth railway traffic on the route.
There were also reports of Gujjars blocking the Bayana Hindon road route too.
The Gujjars are divided into two groups, with one led by Gujjar leader Himmat Singh having held discussions with the state government on Saturday night, resulting in both sides signing a 14-point charter.
However, the other group led by Bainsla rejected this agreement and called on community members to start the agitation on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bainsla invited state minister Ashok Chandna, who represents the Gujjar community, to the protest site to hold discussions.
However, soon after Chandna reached the protest venue, Bainsla's son Vijay Bainsla asked him to meet the leaders on Monday at 11 a.m.
"Till then, we are sitting on tracks. We had our dinner here. My father, being 85, has been sent to take rest, however, we are protesting here," Vijay Bainsla told IANS, adding that they would ask Chandna to issue appointment letters to community members under MBC quota and to clear the backlog of recruitments too.
"No other term and condition is acceptable to us as we have had discussions many times earlier," he added.
Meanwhile, the plying of buses was suspended in Karauli district and a huge police force was deployed in Bayana.
Internet services have been suspended in many parts of the state to ensure law and order is maintained.
On Saturday, the state Home Department issued orders to District Collectors of eight districts to invoke powers under the stringent National Security Act and this will be valid for three months.