Fresh talks to break ice on Gujjars agitation

Fresh efforts are on to end the 15-day-old standoff between the Rajasthan government headed by Ashok Ghelot and ethnic Gujjar community over the latter’s demand for five per cent reservation in government jobs.

After Sunday night’s four-hour talks failed to make any headway, state Energy minister Jitendra Singh said the Gujjar agitators would have another round of dialogues on Monday.

Gujjar leader Sriram Bainsla said they would definitely go to the meeting but would insist on having the five per cent job reservation for the community.

The Gujjars have been insisting for an Assembly session for introduction of a bill to accord reservation, compensation for those injured in the agitations, jobs for the kin of those killed and pension for those became disabled in the movement.

According to sources, the talks were held on an eight-point agenda, which included the demand to immediately halt all government recruitments.

“The main demand was to halt the recruitment process until the five per cent special reservation issue is resolved. While the Gujjars are insisting on it, the state government does not want others to suffer because of one community, said a government official.