Gujjars derail trains again

JAIPUR: Gujjars organised a bandh in four towns of Rajasthan and blocked Jaipur-Delhi, Jaipur-Agra and Alwar-Mathura rail routes for the third successive day on Wednesday.

Barring Nagar (Bharatpur), the bandh call evoked a good response in Nawalgarh (Jhunjhunu), Dataramgarh (Sikar) and Ramganj Mandi (Kota). No untoward incident was reported from any place, police sources said.

Women protesters, who had blocked the Jaipur-Delhi and Jaipur-Agra rail routes since Sunday evening, were still staging a dharna near Arnia railway station in Dausa district. The protesters had also damaged rail tracks at this spot, police said.

Another mob of Gujjar youths was sitting on rail tracks at the Brij Nagar station in Bharatpur district for the past two days. The busy Delhi-Mumbai route via Bayana, Sawai Madhopur Kota has already been closed since May 23.

Funeral of two victims who died in police firing in Kushalipura on Friday last, was performed on Wednesday.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the government was ready for talks. “The government is ready for talks with agitating Gujjars...They should come forward,” he said.