Boy drowns; stone-pelting after Rajasthan CM's public meeting

Alleging negligence in rescuing a boy who drowned in a pond near the venue of a public meeting of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, protestors threw stones at vehicles after he left the site in Nagaur district, police said today.

Gehlot had gone to offer prayers and address the public in a religious fair at Kharnal village on the occasion of 'Teja Dashmi' yesterday.

During the meeting, a 17-year-old boy Mahipal drowned in a pond near the fair site. Alleging that police denied help in rescuing him, angry people headed towards the meeting venue and threw stones at vehicles which were leaving after the function concluded.

Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the mob.

"During the CM's meeting, people tried to proceed towards the meeting place to protest but police controlled them by using mild force and tear gas. They were protesting the lack of rescue arrangements in the fair but it was the fair authority which had to look after that," Superintendent of Police Balmukund Verma said.

"A few people managed to advance towards the meeting venue and threw stones at vehicles which were leaving the place after the meeting. However, the Chief Minister had already left the place and the vehicles which were damaged in stone-pelting were of local public representatives," he said.

No one was injured in the incident and no arrest was made in this connection, he added.

The body of the boy was later fished out.