The Hindu : National : BJP leadership begins talks with Gujjar leaders

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Sunday, Oct 07, 2007
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BJP leadership begins talks with Gujjar leaders

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership on Saturday initiated talks with the agitating Gujjar leaders in Ajmer Central Jail even as thousands of Gujjars, now lodged in various jails across Rajasthan after their “jail bharo” (court arrest) programme on Gandhi Jayanti day, showed signs of getting restive after four days’ captivity.

The State Government, which had got ready with arrangements for a week in its jails and makeshift camps where the prisoners are kept, is seemingly now looking for a way out to release the prisoners. There were reports of Gujjars resorting to roadblocks in the districts of Dausa, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur and tampering with rail tracks on the Delhi-Mumbai route at Gangapur in Karauli district.

Women’s threat

The womenfolk of Gujjars, who had confined themselves to stray protests, have threatened to court arrest this coming Thursday along with their bovines. The eastern districts of Bharatpur, Dausa and Karauli along with Baran and Ajmer reported a milk shortage after the Gujjar community boycotted milk supply.

The outcome of talks held between Kirori Singh Bainsla, the leader of the Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti (Gujjar reservation agitation committee), and BJP State general secretary Ramlal Jat was not immediately known. Brahma Singh and Dhruv Singh accompanied Col. Bainsla at the talks.

While Mr. Jat refused to divulge the outcome of the talks when he met journalists in Ajmer, indications were that he briefed Col. Bainsla on the condition of those kept in jails and assured him of their “proper upkeep” by the Government agencies.

Mr. Jat also discussed the possible processes they could follow for the release of the prisoners.

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