Train services continue to remain disrupted due to Gujjar agitation
By ANIThursday, December 23, 2010
PILUPURA - Train services continue to remain disrupted in Rajasthan as Gujjars have stepped up their agitation a day after the High Court kept on hold the state government’s Reservation Act giving five per cent extra quota for Gujjars in government jobs.
About 60 trains, have already been either diverted or cancelled. They have now threatened to block, the Agra-Jaipur national highway.
The agitators blocked, the Jaipur-Ajmer highway yesterday for more than six hours and damaged some buses in Dausa and Bharatpur.
They have also called for a shutdown on Friday in Dausa and Ajmer district.
The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition seeking five per cent reservation in government job for the Gujjar community.
The High Court directed the government to collect and provide data on the educational and economic background of the Gujjar community in a year.
Wednesday’s ruling will mean that the Gujjars will only get one per cent reservation in the government jobs.
Meanwhile, Gujjar leader KS Bainsla said: “Our fight is with the government and we will continue our agitation till our demands are met.”
“The government has cheated us by not presenting our side very effectively in the High Court. It is injustice with us and now I have asked all my people not only in Rajasthan but outside the state also to launch the agitation,” he added.
A section of Gujjars on Monday night revived the agitation for five per cent quota in government jobs and educational institutes in Dausa.
The agitation which began in 2007 has claimed over 70 lives so far.
A year ago, Gujjars in Rajasthan fought police and members of another caste that already qualified for job reservations.
After the protests, the State government said it would spend Rs 2.8 billion on improving schools, clinics, roads and other infrastructure in Gujjar areas. But Gujjars rejected this option. (ANI)
