Date:03/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/03/stories/2007060316210300.htm

New Delhi

Protests by Gujjars in the Capital

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Members of the Gujjar community held demonstrations in different parts of the Capital on Saturday demanding Scheduled Tribe status for their community in Rajasthan and protesting against the police firing on demonstrators in that State.

The protesters gathered at Mayur Vihar shouting slogans against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. They also burnt her effigy. Earlier in the morning, traffic had to be diverted near the Ghazipur border in East Delhi because of angry protests by the community members.

Several members of the community staged demonstrations at Sarai Kale Khan, Kotla, Madanpur Khadar, Mehrauli and Badarpur in South Delhi. Effigies were also burnt by protesters at Maujpur in North-East Delhi. "However, no violence was reported from anywhere," said a police officer. Protests were also held at the busy Atta Chowk near Noida Sector 18.

Meeting

Several leaders of the Gujjar community held a meeting in the Capital on Saturday to plan their course of action. While some proposed that they should visit Rajasthan to actively participate in the agitation, others said this would lead to escalation of violence.

According to sources, a delegation of the community leaders that was supposed to visit Rajasthan on Monday has postponed the plan in the wake of the clashes between the Gujjars and the Meenas, apprehending that it might further aggravate the situation.