Preliminary talks between Raj govt and Gurjar likely tomorrow
In the first glimmer of hope for an end to the 16-day-old agitation, Rajasthan government and the Gurjar leadership today agreed to hold preliminary talks in the community stronghold of Bayana in Bharatpur district.
The talks are expected to be held between the state government officials and Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti, spearheaded by 70-year-old Kirori Singh Bainsla, tomorrow, informed sources said.In a bid to break the deadlock and bring Bainsla, a retired colonel, to the negotiating table, the state authorities earlier in the day offered to hold preliminary parleys with the Gurjar leadership in Bayana provided the main talks took place in Jaipur.
Decision came after, the Centre today passed the buck to the Rajasthan government saying that the state was competent enough to declare the community nomadic or de-notified tribe.Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah said,"We have no role to play. Article 16 of the Constitution enables the states to make provisions for reservation to nomadic or de-notified tribes other than the Schedules Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs, if the situation demands.""Some states have already enacted legislation in the regard," he added.
Bainsla, who is camping in violence-hit Karwadi-Pilupura area, about five kms from Bayana, said that if the premilinary talks were "fruitful" and held in a "conducive" atmosphere, he would to go to Jaipur for further parleys.The sources said S N Thanvi, Rajasthan government's chief negotiator, was expected to go to Jaipur to seek instruction from the top state political leadership before proceeding for the first round.(PTI)