Sixth day of agitation: Gujjars block another rail route

Gujjar protestors demanding five per cent reservation in government jobs today blocked the Ajmer-Indore rail track in Bhilwara district on the sixth day of their agitation, disrupting movement of at least eight trains on the route.

The agitators have already occupied Jaipur-Delhi tracks near Bandikui in Dausa and Delhi-Mumbai in Bharatpur district in support of their demands.

"Gujjars are holding meetings at Patoli in Dausa and in Sawaimadhopur, near Kotputli in Jaipur and at Dholpur to discuss the further course of action. A decision to block Jaipur-Delhi and Jaipur-Bharatpur-Agra national highways could be taken in the meetings," Roop Singh, close aide of Bainsla, said.

Blockade at Camery, Devlane, Gudhla, Gatka and a few other places in Bharatpur and at Gangapur-Lalsot route continued in Sawaimadhopur district even as around 2,000 to 3,000 Gujjars were squatting on tracks at Pilukarpura in Bharatpur.

Meanwhile, Kirori Singh Bainsla, who is spearheading the agitation at Pilukapura, and his aide Harprasad have taken ill.

"Bainsla is a diabetic and is suffering from cold and fever. Harprasad has also been taken ill due to the cold conditions," he said.

Today is the sixth day of the agitation which has affected movement of over 50 trains and buses besides causing loss to the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, vehicular traffic on Jaipur-Agra highway was diverted as thousands of Gujjars held a meeting near the highway in Dausa district, police said adding that the step was taken in view of a possible blockade by the agitators.

However, their is no squatting on the highway at present.