Gurjar quota stir enters 4th day, rail tracks blocked

Jaipur/Dholpur, February 11

The stalemate between the protesting Gurjar community and the Rajasthan government over quota in jobs and education continued on the fourth consecutive day on Monday, as agitators blocked roads and railway tracks.

Protesters, led by Kirori Singh Bainsla, have been squatting on railway tracks in Sawai Madhopur district since Friday evening, demanding five per cent reservation for the Gurjar, Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar, Banjara and the Gadaria communities.

The sit-in has affected the movement of over 300 trains through the region so far. On Monday, members of the community blocked the Agra-Jaipur Highway in Dausa, Jaipur-Kota Highway in Tonk and a few other roads in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts.

They also blocked the NH-11 and continued their blockade from previous days at other places. However, there was no violence and the agitation was largely peaceful. The Hindoli-Uniyara National Highway was also blocked by protesters in Bundi district near Topa village.

“Protesters blocked the Agra-Jaipur highway at Sikandar in Dausa, Jaipur-Kota Highway at Banas pulia in Tonk and other roads in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts on Monday. The situation is peaceful and there is no report of any violence so far,” DGP (Law and Order) M L Lathar said.

CM Ashok Gehlot reiterated that the agitating community members vacate the railway tracks and come forward to hold dialogue. — OC/PTI