Police-Villagers Clash During Jalore Encroachment Removal; Congress Jabs: Welcome to the BJP's 'New Rajasthan'

Jalore- In Rajasthan's Jalore district, tensions escalated dramatically on Thursday as a police squad, acting on High Court orders to remove encroachments, encountered fierce resistance from villagers.

The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting the police to resort to force to disperse the crowd. This incident has rapidly gained widespread attention, sparking political controversy with opposition parties, including Congress, targeting the government.

Leader of the Opposition, Tika Ram Jully, expressed his condemnation of the government's actions in a social media post. He wrote, "Are the cries of Odwada reaching the government or falling on deaf ears? The scene unfolding in Jalore, Rajasthan, resembles the oppressive regime of British colonial rule. The BJP-led state government should hang its head in shame."

The focal point of the conflict is Odwada village. Early Thursday morning, the local administration arrived to execute the court-mandated removal of encroachments.

However, in a show of solidarity, villagers gathered to defend their homes and protest the action. Predictably, clashes erupted as the police began their operation, resulting in a volatile standoff.

The use of force by the police only exacerbated the situation, leading to tensions beyond control.

The Odwada Village Encroachment Dispute

The focal point of this conflict lies in Odwada village, situated within the Ahor subdivision of Jalore district. Approximately 400 houses in the area were identified as encroachments, sparking a legal dispute that eventually reached the High Court.

In response to the court's orders, the police administration was tasked with removing the encroachments.

As soon as the authorities initiated their operation to remove encroachments, chaos ensued at the scene. Despite opposition from the villagers, particularly vocal were the rural women, who united in strong protest against the action. Amidst the turmoil, women and children were visibly distressed, with screams and cries heard from all corners.

Undeterred by the opposition, the administration pressed on with the task of removing encroachments. Fences were dismantled, boundaries of houses demolished, and tin sheds razed to the ground.

The enforcement efforts were met with a substantial deployment of police personnel, including Tehsildar, RI, and Patwari, along with officials from Ahore, Jalore, and Sayla SDM, ASP, and DySP of Ahore, Jalore, and Bhinmal, all present on-site.

Local administrative officials claim that nearly all the houses were meticulously marked, with cross marks prominently displayed. In addition to this visual indication, notices had been diligently served to the families, accompanied by clear directives to vacate the premises.

Villagers were duly cautioned that, in accordance with the court order, all landlords were required to vacate their residences by May 14th. Furthermore, a stern ultimatum was issued, stipulating that failure to comply would result in forced eviction by the administration on the 16th, displacing the families from their homes.

Former CM Ashok Gehlot criticized the administration's use of force in demolishing over 400 houses under the pretext of removing encroachments . He highlighted the vulnerability of the affected families, emphasizing the need for the administration to afford them sufficient time to seek legal remedies.

Gehlot urged the state government and administration to approach the matter with compassion and humanity.

Drawing from past precedents, Gehlot referenced a similar case in Patwari Ka Bas village of Sikar, wherein the High Court initially ordered house demolitions but later reversed its decision, recognizing the injustice faced by the victim families.

Gehlot advocated for patience, urging the administration to await the exhaustion of all legal avenues before taking any irreversible action.

Vaibhav Gehlot, the Congress candidate from the Jalore Lok Sabha seat and son of Former CM Ashok Gehlot stated that he has consulted with the Jalore District Collector to understand the situation thoroughly.

"After receiving information about the ongoing actions mandated by the High Court in Odwada, I have sought legal advice from a reputable lawyer," he added. "It has come to my attention that the next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 20th in the High Court. Therefore, I have decided to take proactive measures," Gehlot continued.

"I have discussed the matter with a Supreme Court lawyer and have initiated the process of filing an application on behalf of the affected families in the Supreme Court today itself. Our objective is to secure a hearing to challenge the ongoing actions and seek relief for the affected families," Gehlot emphasized.

Govind Singh Dotasra, President of the Pradesh Congress Committee, joined the chorus of condemnation against the police action.

He decried the scene of ruined homes, distraught families, and the apparent cruelty inflicted upon women by the police. Dotasra characterized this as the brutal face of the police and lamented the state of affairs under the BJP-led government in Rajasthan. He concluded by denouncing the situation as shameful, portraying it as a reflection of the new Rajasthan under BJP governance.