Rajasthan invokes NSA to control Gujjar violence

JAIPUR: With agitating Gujjars refusing to bow down, Rajasthan government on Tuesday clamped the National Security Act (NSA) in 15 districts affected by violence over the issue of ST status for the community.
The district collectors of Ajmer, Alwar, Baran, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bundi, Dausa, Dholpur, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Kota, Sawaimadhopur and Tonk have been empowered to arrest "anyone disturbing law and order and public peace by any act of nuisance," Principal Secretary (Home) V S Singh said. District magistrates, who are also collectors, have been asked to take action under NSA against any suspect or if they apprehend any law and order problem.
To maintain law and order in the worst affected districts of Dausa, Bharatpur and Alwar, about 22 army columns and 76 columns of different security personnel have been deployed, Singh said.
So far, 150 people have been arrested in connection with the agitation and 40 vehicles seized. Fifty criminal cases have been registered in Dausa, Bharatpur, Tonk and Kota. Meanwhile, the state government has opened the route connecting Bandikui and Alwar cities as Sikandara town was being blocked by agitators.
Following protests in Tonk, an alternative route has been opened near Ghas village from Sawaimadhopur to Banera, he said. Restoration of rail work was underway on a war footing between Deeg and Goverdhan sectors, Singh said.