Date:12/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/12/stories/2008061260731200.htm

National

Talks with Gujjars yet to resume

Sunny Sebastian

Gujjars seek bail for protesters
Government tries to meet Gujjars’ terms

JAIPUR: The talks between the Rajasthan government and Gujjars agitating for Scheduled Tribe status could not be resumed here on Wednesday as no agreement could be reached on the conditions set by their leader Kirori Singh Bainsla. The first round was held at Bayana on Monday.

In contrast to the hectic activities on Tuesday, when spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the protesters blocking the Delhi-Mumbai rail route at Bayana in Bharatpur to appeal for a peaceful settlement to the contentious issue, the day remained almost eventless with Gujjar leaders trying to secure bail for those arrested. And the government seemed to be working to meet the conditions set by the Gujjars — the release of the arrested protesters and withdrawal of murder charges against some of them.

Hectic confabulations

“It will take at least another day for the talks to resume,” Omprakash Mathur, State president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said. The Ministers and party MLAs from the community called on Mr. Mathur to discuss the situation. Central BJP leaders Gopinath Munde and Prakash Javadekar are still camping in the capital. “We are in touch with the Gujjar leaders,” S.N. Thanvi, Principal Secretary, who is in Bayana, said.

Bail applications

Meanshile, the bail applications, moved on behalf of 25 women arrested in Bandikui for blocking the Delhi-Jaipur rail route, before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate were rejected as the issue was beyond the jurisdiction of the court. Now the applications are likely to be presented on Thursday before the Additional District Judge, Dausa.

The bail applications of 15 persons arrested from the Sawai Man Singh Hospital here while they were undergoing treatment for injuries and five others would be taken up at Bharatpur. Indications are that the government will not contest the grant of bail, though the charges registered against them include Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. According to official information, 285 people have been arrested so far in the State in connection with the 20-day agitation.

Rail traffic improves

Even as the Delhi-Mumbai route continued to be blocked by the protesters, there was improvement in rail traffic elsewhere in the State as the Jaipur-Agra route reopened. Railway authorities said the Howrah Express, Gwalior Express, the Jodpur-Varanasi Express and the Jaipur-Sialda Express would run on the route from Thursday.