Rajasthan: Gujjar protestors continue to block railway tracks, at least 26 trains cancelled
The community wants the state government to implement the 5% reservation in education and government jobs promised to them in 2017.
Members of the Gujjar community in Rajasthan continued their protest, demanding 5% reservation, for the second straight day on Saturday, The Indian Express reported.
Protestors blocked railway tracks near Malarna Dungar station in Sawai Madhopur district. The protest forced the railways to cancel at least 26 trains and diversion of 33.
Members of the Gujjar community have been asking the state government to implement the 5% reservation it had promised them and four other groups in 2017. At present, the community has 1% reservation in education and government jobs. The Congress government in the state has appointed a panel of three cabinet ministers to negotiate with the community.
“We have a good CM [and] a good PM,” a protestor told ANI. “We want [them to] listen to the demands of Gujjar community. It is not an uphill task for them to provide reservation.”
#UPDATE: 4 trains diverted and 14 cancelled between Sawai Madhopur to Bayana section-Nimoda to Malarna block section in Kota Division of Western Central Railway due to the ongoing reservation movement by the members of Gujjar community in Rajasthan.
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019
Members of Gujjar community sitting on railway track in Maksudanpura of Sawai Madhopur in protest as part of reservation movement say "We have good CM&a good PM. We want that they listen to the demands of Gujjar community. It isn't an uphill task for them to provide reservation." pic.twitter.com/lM4TDF7WRh
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019
Gujjar leader Kirori Bainsla on Friday said their protest would be a peaceful one and the state government should stand by its promise. Last month, Bainsla had given the state 20 days to clarify its stand on reservation for the five groups.
Director General of Police (law and order) ML Lather said the security personnel are monitoring the situation, NDTV reported. “The deadlock may soon be over after today’s meeting with the committee constituted by the government,” Lather said.