NEW DELHI: Concerned over the continuing agitation by the Gujjar community in Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday took stock of the situation during a telephonic talk with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta has been in touch with top State Government officials after the clashes broke out.

For the first time, the Chief Minister on Saturday participated in the negotiations in Jaipur to resolve the crisis in the wake of the Gujjars' agitation for Scheduled Tribe status.

With violence in Rajasthan showing no signs of abatement, the Union Home Ministry sent an advisory to the State asking it to initiate dialogue with eminent persons from both Gujjar and Meena communities for immediate restoration of peace. The Ministry also advised the State Government to widely publicise joint appeals of prominent leaders from both communities.

The Ministry also issued an advisory to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi to maintain alert and ensure there was no spillover effect of the agitation.

In a related development, Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests Namo Narain Meena met the Home Minister here and discussed the situation with him. Dausa Congress MP Sachin Pilot too had two meetings with the Home Minister over the past few days.

In view of the violent agitation, Mr. Pilot has been provided "Z" category security by the Ministry.

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