Justice Chopra to head panel on Gujjar ST demand

The Rajasthan government on Thursday named retired high court judge Jasraj Chopra as the head of three-member high-powered committee to examine and prepare a status report on the Gujjars' demand for a shift from Other Backward Classes to Scheduled Tribes status.

A formal announcement will be made by Friday, Principal Home Secretary V S Singh told reporters in Jaipur.

The committee would examine the norms laid down for Gujjars in their current status in the OBC category and consider their representation for inclusion in the ST list within three months, Singh said.

Meanwhile, arms licenses of people in 14 districts including Karuali, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Bundi and Kota that witnessed wide-scale violence during the Gujjar stir have been suspended with immediate effect till further notice, Singh said.

"All licensees have been asked to deposit their arms and ammunition to the police," he said, adding this was being done as a precautionary measure. "Attempts would also be made to seize unlicensed arms after conducting raids."

So far 264 cases have been registered based on FIRs against protestors who indulged in violence and arson.

On asked whether any FIR has been registered against Meenas who indulged in clashes with Gujjars in Lalsot of Dausa that claimed four lives, Singh said filing of cases is based on the nature of crime and not on caste lines.

"There is no discrimination against any caste." He also said the government would provide token money to the affected people, adding efforts are being made to restore peace through community liaison groups.