Karni Sena demands action against police as its member Devraj Singh dies during protest in alleged lathi-charge

Jaipur, Aug 4 (IANS) Shri Rajput Karni Sena on Tuesday demanded stringent action against police officials who lathi-charged its members on Monday during a peaceful march. It alleged that its member Devraj Singh died after his health deteriorated during the rally in Jaipur held by the organisation in protest against the new UGC regulations.

Singh, a resident of Palada village in Didwana-Kuchaman district, was among those participating in the demonstration, which was supported by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, the Rashtriya Hindu Mahasabha, and several organisations representing the Savarna (upper-caste) community, said Mahipal Singh Makrana, president of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena.

Makrana, speaking to the media on Tuesday, also gave a Jaipur bandh call if action is not taken against officials engaged in the lathi-charge and the use of water canons against protestors.

It needs to be mentioned here that clashes broke out between protesters and the police during the rally on Monday. According to DCP (West) Prashant Kiran, Devraj Singh’s death was not caused by a police lathi-charge or the use of water cannons.

The officer said Singh’s condition suddenly worsened during the protest, and he died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Devraj Singh’s last rites were performed in Jaipur on Tuesday morning. Police said he fell ill during the protest and was taken to a hospital, where he later died during treatment.

Police initially attempted to stop the rally by setting up barricades beneath the 200-feet express flyover. Protesters breached the barricades and continued towards Chaumu Puliya, Ambabari, and Panipech intersections before reaching the Collectorate Circle. They then began moving towards the BJP state office and the Chief Minister’s residence, leading to several confrontations with the police.

When protesters continued to advance, police first used water cannons and later carried out a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

Some reports claim that Devraj Singh panicked during the unrest, fell, and sustained serious injuries. However, police have maintained that his death resulted from a sudden deterioration in his health and was not caused by the lathi-charge or water cannons.

The Shri Rajput Karni Sena has alleged that police used force against women and young protesters.

–IANS

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