Mob burns 2 Dalit politicians’ homes in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, day after Bharat bandh
Jaipur: In a fresh violence in Rajasthan today a violent mob set ablaze the houses of a sitting lawmaker and a former legislator, both of them Dalits, in Hinduan town of Karauli district. Curfew has been imposed in the town and internet services have been suspended.
A mob comprising nearly 5,000 people set ablaze the houses of sitting MLA Rajkumari Jatav and former MLA Bharosilal Jatav in Hindaun, Karauli district collector Abhimanyu Kumar told the Press Trust of India (PTI). Both the leaders were not in town when the violence took place.
While Rajkumari Jatav is from the ruling BJP, Bharosilal Jatav is a former Congress lawmaker who had also served as a minister.
Today's protests, mostly by trader groups, are seen as a counter to yesterday's violence during a bandh called by Dalit groups to protest what they call dilution of a law that aims at protecting them from atrocities.
The traders held a meeting in the morning to protest against yesterday's bandh called by Dalit organisations during which their shops were vandalized. They wanted to meet officials of the district administration but were reportedly prevented after which they clashed with the police.
Agitated members of the traders' associations and upper castes took out a procession in Hindaun today and tried to enter areas dominated by scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) NRK Reddy said, according to PTI.
Police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. Karauli Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Kayal said about 40 people had been detained in Hindaun after today's arson and violence.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
