Rajasthan SDM Slapped: After a night in which his supporters clashed with police, leaving over 50 people injured and 60 vehicles torched, Rajasthan Police on Thursday afternoon arrested Congress rebel Naresh Meena, who contested as an Independent in the bypolls from the Deoli-Uniara Assembly seat and allegedly slapped the local SDM during polling on Wednesday.
A video had been widely shared on Wednesday, purportedly showing Meena slapping Malpura sub-divisional magistrate Amit Choudhary at a polling station in Samravata village in Tonk district. Meena and his supporters later sat on Dharna at the spot, with the candidate claiming he had been “informed that the SDM had allowed three fake voters to cast their votes”. “The public got agitated when they saw those three workers under the SDM cast their vote but I handled the situation,” he had claimed.
Later, at around 10 pm on Wednesday, clashes erupted between Meena’s supporters and police. More than 50 people were reported injured in the incident, and over 60 vehicles were set on fire, officials said.
In another video that was circulated on social media by Meena’s supporters, a man could be heard shouting that police allegedly attacked “peaceful protesters” who were having their dinner.
Police fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
Tonk District Collector Saumya Jha said SDM Choudhary had been asked to file a report on the incident, based on which an FIR has been registered.
“SDM Amit Chowdhary is with us right now, and after submitting his report, an FIR has been registered. Naresh Meena has been arrested from the spot. The Bhartiya Nayay Sahinta and Representation of People’s Act provisions are included in the FIR. If the challan is provided in the court, based on this, the Election Commission can disqualify the candidate,” Jha said.
The Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) Union issued a statement Wednesday night, warning that they would go on strike if action is not taken against Meena for allegedly slapping the SDM.
A vehicle was set on fire during violence that erupted following clash between police and supporters of independent candidate Naresh Meena on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)
The Jat Karamchari Welfare Society Rajasthan has also condemned the incident.
Sources said police had attempted to arrest Meena on Wednesday night, but could not due to the crowd of his supporters.
Ahead of his arrest on Thursday, Meena addressed the media at 9.30 am and denied claims that he attacked the SDM because the latter belonged to the Jat community.
Comments