A day after 15 people were killed in clashes between Gujjars and police in Bharatpur, the community has threatened to indefinitely continue the stir till its demand for Scheduled Caste status is met.
Four columns of the army were deployed in violence-hit Bayana town and nearby villages on Saturday after 15 people were killed in clashes between members of Gujjar community and police.
Gurjar Arakashan Sangarsh Samiti convener Kirori Singh Bhainsla said Gujjars will not settle for nothing less than the state's letter of recommendation to the Centre for the ST status.
Speaking to PTI over telephone from Philpura, Bhainsla, said, "We will take up the stir indefinitely unless the state government complies with our demand."
He said the special package of Rs 282 crores announced by the government for the uplift of Gujjars can neither be accepted in lieu of the recommendation letter nor is it sufficient for development of the community.
When asked if the Samiti would accept in the event of the package being enhanced, he said, "No, no at all."
Bhainsla, against whom and five of his associates, arrest warrants were issued by the Karauli district authorities, vehemently denied that demonstrators uprooted railway tracks during the Samiti's 'rail roko' call on Saturday.
Replying to question on whether it is the opportune moment to launch the agitation when the state is mourning the recent serial blasts, Bhainsla said, "We regret and sympathise with those who lost their lives, but we are not at all concerned with the timing."
"See our sufferings, too," he added.
More from rediff