Reuters AlertNet Lite - Roads to Indian capital blocked in quota protests

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Roads to Indian capital blocked in quota protests

04 Jun 2007 06:21:06 GMT
Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hundreds of protesters from an Indian ethnic group demanding special government privileges blocked some highways leading to New Delhi on Monday, clashing with police and burning two buses.

This is the seventh day of protests by ethnic Gujjars, who are demanding they be declared a Scheduled Tribe (ST) which will entitle them to government jobs and college seats. Twenty-three people have been killed in the western state of Rajasthan.

Police said protesters had congregated along at least four major highways and were attempting to block traffic into New Delhi, adding there were sporadic clashes between police and demonstrators in some areas.

"Thousands of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed and are patrolling all major roads leading to the capital," said Deependra Pathak, chief spokesman for Delhi police.

"We will do whatever it takes to ensure peace and security." Local television stations showed two buses burning and protesters throwing stones at police. Other demonstrators waved sticks, held hands and blocked roads, causing massive traffic jams in many areas.

A Reuters witness said a highway from the eastern satellite town of Noida into New Delhi was also blocked in parts by protesters who were burning effigies of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who they accuse of ignoring their demands.

Protesters also disrupted rail traffic near New Delhi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state. An official said two passenger trains were stopped after protesters blocked the tracks.

The protests by the Gujjars, a community of shepherds and farmers, began last week in Rajasthan and were fuelled after police shot dead 14 Gujjars during a clash on Tuesday.

Gujjar anger has since spread to other parts of the country where they have sizeable populations, including New Delhi.

But their demands are strongly opposed by the Meenas, a powerful community in Rajasthan who have cornered a large slice of the existing tribal quota for government jobs and college places in the state.

The Gujjar protests have led to violent clashes between the two groups, leading to several deaths.

Gujjar leaders were expected to continue talks with Raje on Monday to discuss the community's demands. (Additional reporting by Reuters reporter in Jaipur and Kamil Zaheer in New Delhi)

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• India profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Plan launched a worldwide camapign calling for action on girls' rights abuses
Plan UK

• Plan launched a worldwide camapign calling for action on girls' rights abuses
Plan UK

• India: large numbers of IDPs are unassisted and in need of protection
NRC - Norway

• In tsunami rehabilitation efforts, some "found their courage"
CWS

• CARE congratulates Sir Elton John for putting food first in the fight against HIV and AIDS
CARE International - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• Roads to Indian capital blocked in quota protests

• FEATURE-Big firms rush to tap vast market of poor consumers

• Investors urge tough climate signal from G8 summit

• Tribal rebels kill four policemen in India's Assam

• ASIA: IRIN-ASIA Weekly round-up 126 for 28 May – 3 June 2007

MORE >>

Last updated:Mon Jun 4 06:21:58 2007