NEW DELHI: Prominent Gujjar leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Wednesday demanded dismissal of the Vasundhara Raje Government in Rajasthan for "unleashing brutal police force" on peaceful protesters leading to the death of several people.

Addressing a press conference, the Delhi Nationalist Congress Party president said the NCP would hold a protest demonstration in front of the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this coming Sunday to press for dismissal of the Rajasthan Government and imposition of President's Rule in the State as the law and order situation there had completely collapsed.

He also demanded a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for the next of kin of all those killed in police firing on Tuesday along with a provision for a Government job to one family member of every deceased.

Upholding the demand of the Gujjar community in Rajasthan for Scheduled Tribes status, Mr. Bidhuri said it was not without reason as most members of the community in the State were poor and did not have adequate representation in Government jobs. He also clarified that he was not in favour of a similar Scheduled Tribe status for the Gujjar community in Delhi as it enjoys a much better social and economic status here. Also, the community is well represented through 27 municipal councillors and five MLAs.

Saying the BJP Government in Rajasthan had promised in its election manifesto that it would accord Scheduled Tribes status to Gujjars, Mr. Bidhuri accused Ms. Raje of backing out on the promise of sending the recommendation to the effect to the Centre. He also accused her of not even meeting the Gujjar leaders in the State and precipitating the crisis. The NCP leader appealed to the Union Government to send a fact-finding team to Rajasthan to probe the role of the State Govt. in the killing of innocent people and demanded that a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court be appointed for an impartial judicial probe. He said the Centre should also direct the Rajasthan Govt. to recommend ST status for the Gujjars so that it could then pass an order to that effect.

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