Valmiki Community Stages Agitation at Ajmer Collectorate Demanding Justice
In a significant display of dissent, members of the Valmiki community in Ajmer organized a rally on Tuesday, marching to the district collectorate to voice their grievances against local law enforcement and administrative authorities. The protest escalated as demonstrators raised slogans condemning perceived police inaction, with some individuals forcefully toppling barricades stationed outside the collectorate gate and entering the premises.
Confrontation and Police Response
When police personnel attempted to intervene and halt the advancing protesters, a scuffle erupted, leading to agitated community members dragging the barricades further into the collectorate campus. The situation prompted the arrival of Additional Superintendent of Police (Ajmer Rural) Deepak Kumar at the scene. In response to the unrest, ASP Kumar engaged with the protesters, assuring them of a thorough and impartial investigation into a recent violent incident targeting two Valmiki youths.
Community Demands and Ultimatum
The protesters issued a stern warning to the authorities, stating that if all individuals responsible for the attack were not apprehended within a strict 24-hour deadline, they would initiate a more extensive and intensified agitation. Community representative Anil Narwal detailed the alleged assault, which occurred on March 8 around 11 PM at Gulab Bari Naka. According to Narwal, a group of men armed with sticks, iron rods, knives, and other weapons attacked the two youths, subjecting them to severe physical harm and hurling casteist slurs to humiliate them.
Narwal further claimed that the assailants brandished a revolver during the incident, firing shots into the air. Both victims sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack, and their family members subsequently filed a formal complaint at the Alwar Gate police station. However, the community alleges that no substantive action has been taken by the police thus far, fueling their frustration and prompting the protest.
Official Assurance and Investigation
In light of the escalating tensions, ASP Kumar addressed the gathering, emphasizing that directives have been issued to the Station House Officer (SHO) and Circle Officer (CO) of the concerned area to expedite the investigation and ensure prompt legal action. The police official reiterated the commitment to a fair inquiry, aiming to address the community's concerns and restore public trust in the justice system.
The protest underscores ongoing issues related to caste-based violence and administrative responsiveness in the region, highlighting the urgent need for effective law enforcement measures to protect vulnerable communities and uphold social justice.
