JAIPUR: The six-day-old agitation by the Gujjar community in Rajasthan, seeking Scheduled Tribe status, was withdrawn on Monday after talks between Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and representatives of the struggle committee.

Ms. Raje and the Gujjar Mahasabha leaders, Kirori Singh Bainsla and Roop Singh, made a joint announcement to this effect after six-hour deliberations at her Civil Lines residence here. Monday's was the decisive fifth and final round — the Gujjar leaders had said they would not be available for negotiations any more if the talks failed — in which, for the first time, Ms. Raje and Col. Bainsla talked directly.

Joint statement

The agitation left 25 persons dead in mob violence and police firing in half a dozen districts, and brought life to a standstill in many more districts and in the neighbouring States.

A joint statement issued said a three member, high-level committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, would look into the Gujjar's claim for inclusion in the ST category. It would have a member-secretary with special experience and knowledge of tribal issues and areas. ``The Committee would study deeply the demands of the Gujjar community on the basis of the administrative and legal parameters stipulated by the Government of India and submit a report to the State Government in three months."

There was no mention of any letter from the Chief Minister to the Centre recommending ST status to the community — a demand made by the Gujjar leadership.

Apology

"We got what we wanted," said Col. Bainsla, who had hinted at a likely compromise while going to the Chief Minister's residence. He apologised for the "inconvenience" caused to the public. Col.

Bainsla said he would keep in mind the interest of the nation rather than that of the community. ``We are a community, not a caste. We had to fight this way to press our demand," Mr. Roop Singh, who led the first four rounds of negotiations, said while leaving the venue of talks.

Ms. Raje, speaking briefly to the media, said it was in the tradition of Rajasthan for communities to co-exist in harmony.

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