Date:20/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062050410100.htm

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Rail, road blockade ends in Rajasthan

Sunny Sebastian

JAIPUR: A day after the accord between the Gujjar agitators and the Rajasthan government, peace reigned in the State on Thursday.

The squatters who had made the Delhi-Mumbai rail line at Pilupura in Bharatpur district their home for the past 28 days left for their villages to renew agricultural activities following the abundant early monsoon showers in the region.

The Gujjar leader and convenor of Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (Gujjar agitation action committee), Kirori Singh Bainsla, who revisited the rail tracks at Pilupura/Karwadi on Thursday after the announcement of the truce, thanked his followers for their perseverance and grit. After signing the agreement with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje here on Wednesday, Col. Bainsla took a flight to Agra and reached Pilurpua by road.

The celebrations remained subdued in the morning too at ground zero as the community, fighting for Scheduled Tribe status, had to settle for 5 per cent reservation under a special category along with Banjaras, Gadia Luhars and Raikas. “Mere kehne sei vote dena,” (Cast your vote on the basis of what I tell you), Col. Bainsla told the gathering, a much smaller crowd this time.

“We are happy about peace returning to the area. The 5 per cent offer from the government does not mean much. It does not even appear a sincere effort on the part of the government coming as it does along with another 14 per cent for the economically backward classes,” said Roop Singh, a close associate of the retired Colonel.

“What is being attempted now could have been possible, say in February,” he told The Hindu.

While the rail tracks were ready for traffic on Thursday after repairs were carried out, the blockade on National Highway 11 at Sikandra in Dausa district was cleared the previous night itself. “The crowds melted away by the time the news about the settlement reached Sikandra. Around 11-30 p.m. we took over and started clearing the obstructions on the road. By 2 a.m. the traffic was resumed after 27 days,” said Dausa Collector Rajesh Yadav.

A meeting of the Rajasthan Cabinet presided over by Ms. Raje endorsed the decisions of the previous day pertaining to 5 per cent reservation for the Gujjars and other three communities and the 14 per cent to the EBCs such as Brahmins, Rajputs, Kayasthas and Vaishyas.