Hopes were today raised for an end to the crisis triggered by the Gujjars' agitation for Schedule Tribe status, with the Rajasthan government saying the first round of talks with the community was a "good beginning" and that the
deadlock has ended.
 
The meeting, held at the Dausa circuit house, lasted for about 90 minutes and both parties have gone to apprise their
leaders and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of the progress, Parliamentary Affairs Minister B S Rajawat told PTI.
 
In the preliminary rounds of talks held early this morning, a ten-member Gujjars' delegation led by Karnal Kirori
Singh Bhainsla sought the shifting of Gujjars from OBC to ST category, ex-gratia in cash, job to dependents, and
withdrawal of police cases of agitation lodged in last three days, Rajawat said.
 
"It was a good beginning and deadlock has ended, hope for the best solution," he said.

The four ministers - Digamber Singh, S M Jat, Madan Dilawar, and L N Dave - who took part in the meeting have
returned to the state capital and are holding talks with the chief minister.

The second round of talks is likely to be held in the afternoon in Dausa, he said.

The Rajasthan government had last night invited Gujjar representatives for talks to resolve the crisis in the wake of
the violence that has left 14 dead so far.