Jodhpur: Gehlot govt shielding those involved in breaking law and order, says Union minister

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday described communal tensions in Jodhpur unfortunate and directed officials to take stern action against those responsible for it. A criminal, irrespective of his religion, caste or class, must not be spared, the CM told officials addressing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's Office. "These traditions must continue," the CM said while appealing to the public to maintain peace, according to a statement. He also asked officials to organise meetings of community liaison groups (CLG) across the state and create an atmosphere of peace among different communities. Gehlot said anti-social elements must be identified at the police station-level and strict action be taken against them. Legal action should be taken against those spreading misleading messages and rumours on social media, he said.

The law and order situation is in disarray in Rajasthan. What happened at the time of morning Namaz that immediately afterward cars were vandalised, houses were pelted with stones, women were insulted in Jodhpur. Police did not take any pre-emptive steps to prevent this: Union minister & Jodhpur MP Gajendra S Shekhawat

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed the Minister of State for Home Rajendra Yadav, Minister inicharge for Jodhpur Subhash Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Home Abhay Kumar and Additional DG (Law and Order) Hawa Singh Ghumaria to travel to Jodhpur by helicopter. Gehlot chaired a high-level review meeting in this connection and gave necessary directions.

Curfew imposed in 10 police stations area in Jodhpur city as tension continues. Udai Mandir, Nagori Gate, Khanda Phalsa, Pratap Nagar, Dev Nagar, Soor Sagar and Sardarpura are among the police stations limits where the curfew has been imposed until May 4 midnight. Internet services have also been suspended in Jodhpur after violent clashes erupted between two groups over the issue of hoisting religious flags. The incident happened on Monday at midnight.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, BJP MP from Bikaner in Rajasthan, targeted the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in the state over the violent clashes. Meghwal said, "Chief Minister should take responsibility of the violent incident and resign immediately because he also holds the home ministry portfolio in the state." "BJP will soon start agitation," the Lok Sabha MP added. 

Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited Jalori Gate where communal violence broke out on Eid. He met local residents and addressed their concerns. FULL STORY

BJP state president Satish Poonia said, "Putting up Islamic flag on the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa by anti-social elements, and removing saffron flag put up on Parshuram Jayanti is condemnable." He appealed to the people to maintain peace and demanded the state government to establish 'rule of law'.

A bike was torched outside the house of BJP MLA Suryakanta Vyas. Vyas had raised an objection to the installation of the Eid flag alongside the freedom fighter's statue. "They did (put up the flag) at (the statue of) Bissa ji and we have a strong objection to this. We will not forget this," Vyas, along with her supporters, said.

I want to appeal to people to maintain peace. This type of tension is not good for the people of Jodhpur. I've instructed police to deal strictly with anti-social elements. Everyone should understand that we've to maintain brotherhood: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Jodhpur clashes

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has called a high-level meeting with DGP and other officials regarding the law and order situation in the state, in the wake of recent clashes in Jodhpur.

Three persons have been taken into police custody in connection with violence in Jodhpur. Hours before Eid, communal tension broke out in Jodhpur leading to stone pelting. Five policemen were injured in the incident that took place past midnight

Fresh clashes reported in Kabootar Chowk area of Jodhpur. Clashes erupted in the town between two communities over a dispute involving religious flags in the Jalori Gate area.

The situation is under control, flag march will be held. Action will be taken according to the law. Police personnel received minor injuries. We're looking into it (on flag hosting incident): Navjyoti Gogoi, Police Commissioner, Jodhpur

Several vehicles in residential areas were damaged after stone pelting by the crowd soon after namaz.

Public vehicles damaged in stone pelting 

Allahu Akbar slogan was raised by the crowd soon after the namaz on Eid. Communal tension broke out in Jalori Gate area which led to stone pelting, leaving at least several policemen injured.

The crowd after offering namaz pelted stones at police and vandalised their vehicles. Stone pelting was also reported in residential areas. Several shops and showrooms were also damaged in the incident.

A source in the police control room told PTI that four policemen were injured in the stone pelting. Heavy police force was deployed in the area to control the situation.

The district administration has shut the internet services as a precautionary measure in view of the violent clashes. In the order issued by Jodhpur Divisional Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, internet services have been stopped in the entire Jodhpur district.

Reportedly, media persons who were covering the incident also became victims of the Police anger. The policemen beat up 4 journalists. At present, the atmosphere in the entire city remains tense. The police has appealed to celebrate the festivals with communal harmony.

Jodhour is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who appealed to the people to maintain peace.

The police lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation hours before Eid. The two sides clashed with each other over installing a religious flag in connection with Eid, police said.

According to police, the tension between two communities led to stone pelting, leaving at least four policemen injured in the early hours of Tuesday.

Communal tension broke out in the Jalori Gate area of Jodhpur on Monday night just ahead of Eid and Akshaya Tritiya festivals.