Gujjar agitation: Bandhs continue for 2nd day

Bandhs were organised on Thursday at different places in Rajasthan, including Jaipur and Ajmer, in protest against Tuesday's police firing even as the first round of talks between the group of four ministers and the agitating Gujjar community leaders was held in a cordial atmosphere late Wednesday night in Dausa.

According to official sources, the dialogue was opened in a cordial atmosphere in which the Gujjar leaders stressed on an early submission of report by the state government for inclusion of their community in Scheduled Tribe category.

The second round of the

talks was expected on Thursday.

Members of Rajasthan council of ministers Laxmin Narain Dave, Rajendra Rathore, Madan Dilawar and Dr Digambar Singh participated in the talks.

However, the spree of violence, which began on Tuesday, has not halted even as bandhs were organised at some places, including Jaipur and Ajmer.

A total of 17 people have died so far in police firing and violence at different places.

One person was killed and some others were injured when police opened fire to disperse a mob indulging in arson near Paniala in Kotputli on Wednesday evening. Besides this, eight people have so far died in Bundi, seven in Dausa district and one in Bayana.