Rajasthan beefs up security ahead of report on Gujjars

Dec 16, 2007, 11:53 GMT

Jaipur, Dec 16 (IANS) With the Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee Monday slated to submit its report on the Gujjar community's demand for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, the Rajasthan government has beefed up security arrangements in a bid to maintain law and order situation in the state.

'Everything is peaceful and we are fully prepared to face any eventuality. We are keeping a close watch in sensitive areas', Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said.

Security arrangements have been strengthened in as many as 14 of the 32 districts of the state.

The Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) and Special Task Force (STF) personnel have been deployed in these areas from Saturday. All police stations have been directed to be ready to suppress any sort of violent agitations, the minister said.

According to government sources, RAC jawans (constables) in large numbers have been deployed in Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota and Jodhpur ranges, while additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas such as Dausa, Kaurali, Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Dholpur and Bharatpur.

Gujjars, who at present are placed in the government's list of `other backward classes' (OBC), held protests across Rajasthan from May 29-June 4, demanding the community be declared a Scheduled Tribe, a status, they argue, would give them more employment and educational opportunities.

Normal life was paralysed and at least 26 people were killed in the violence that mid-June was heading towards a caste war between Gujjars and Meenas, a dominant community among tribals in Rajasthan who opposed Gujjars' demand for ST status.

Meenas believe that Gujjars' inclusion in the ST category will affect the balance of power between the communities.

The high-powered Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee, which was formed then to look into the issue, is to submit its report to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Monday. After a discussion, the state cabinet will send the report with its recommendations to the central government for a decision, a senior state government official said.

Sources in the government also said that chances were high that the report would not be made public.

The committee, set up June 12 by the state government following an agreement signed between state government and representatives of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti, was due to submit its report by Sept 12.

But following a request from the committee, the state government extended its time to Dec 15.

Meanwhile, the Meena community, which has been putting pressure on the government through numerous tribal meets, has threatened to launch a large-scale agitation if any concession is made to the Gujjars.

The community said all its Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) representatives in Rajasthan would resign from their posts if Gujjars' demands were met by the state government.

Janjati Aarkhshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a body of tribals dominated by Meenas, has threatened the Raje government of dire consequences if it submits any recommendation letter to the union government in support of Gujjars' demand for tribal status.

'If any change is made in the present status of reservation for tribal category, we will be forced to take to the roads,' Ramnarayan Nagwa, state president of the Samiti, said here.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service