The Rajasthan Government has removed Director General of Police A S Gill, apparently unhappy over his handling of the ongoing Gujjar clashes, in which at least 42 people have been killed.
K S Bains, Special Director General (anti-corruption bureau), has taken over the charge.
Home Department sources said the administration was upset over Gill's handling of the Gujjars, who have been agitating for the past nine days, demanding Scheduled Tribes status.
"I think it is quite natural for him to take the step after the incidents of deaths," Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said when asked about the move.
"It is his decision to quit. We are not sending any signals. This is something between the Chief Minister and the police," he told NDTV news channel.
Gill was not available for comments. Sources said Gill had failed to control the clashes between agitators and policemen.
On Friday, two people were killed and twelve others injured when police opened fire on a violent mob in Sawaimadhopur district.
The police had to lob teargas shells and fire rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. Tension still prevails in parts of Rajasthan as the Gujjars continue to agitate by blocking road and rail traffic.