One dead, army out in Jalore protests over SP's suspension

The army was called in and an indefinite curfew was imposed in Jalore town of Rajasthan on Sunday night after violence erupted, leaving one person dead in protests over the suspension of Jalore Police Superintendent Hemant Priyadarshi following the suicide of a Jain Shwetambari monk.

The army was called in to assist the civil administration, which could not cope with the tense situation. Rapid Action Force personnel have also been deployed in troubled areas. The army held flag marches on Sunday.

The spokesperson said the mob, while holding a demonstration that violated prohibitory orders imposed on the town, resorted to stone-throwing, arson and looting. The protestors also blocked traffic in various parts of the town.

When a lathi-charge and teargas shells failed to disperse the crowd, the police used rubber bullets. One man died and about 150 people, including some police officials, were injured. Protestors organised a day-long dharna outside the Jalore police lines and later demonstrated outside the collectorate. At least 54 government employees also courted arrest.

Two former ministers, Rashtriya Janata Dal state president Jagmal Singh Yadav and RJD state parliamentary board president Dula Ram, were arrested for making provocative speeches outside the collectorate.

In Jaipur, a day-long dharna was observed at Manak Chowk. Former ministers Bina Kak and Jagat Singh Dayma and sitting legislators Daljit Singh and Arun Singh also participated. Samata Party activists and various women's organisations held separate protests in Jaipur. The Rajput Sabha's women's wing and the All-India Youth Federation have also condemned the SP's suspension.

The Jain monk, Lokendra Vijay, against whom a first information report was lodged at the Bhinmal police station for allegedly raping a woman on September 4, committed suicide by slitting his veins and consuming acid on September 10.

The Jain community declared that the monk would not be cremated until the police superintendent was suspended. They believed Vijay committed suicide due to police torture. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat announced Priyadarshi's suspension in the assembly on September 12, sparking protests in Jalore and nearby towns.

Higher Education Minister Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi, Minister of State for Dairy Development Arjun Deora, Bharatiya Janata Party State General Secretary Om Mathur and Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Narain Meena have reached Jalore.