Govt cuts fuel supplies to check Gujjar stir

Friday, May 30, 2008

Govt cuts fuel supplies to check Gujjar stir

Karwadi/Bayana (Rajasthan): Fuel rationing was on Friday imposed in Karwadi and Bayana by the district authorities in a bid to check the movement of Gujjar protesters as their agitation entered the eighth day here.

"The collector has ordered a stipulated amount of 10 litres of diesel and one litre of petrol to vehicles in all tehsil areas except district headquarters," District Supply Officer A Punia told PTI over telephone from Bharatpur.

A vehicle can only get a full tank at Bharatpur, he said.

Supply of essential food items has not been hit in Bayana, but authorities said that the situation could worsen if the agitation continues.

The shopkeepers in Bayana rue their business has gone down since the agitation as it had hit the truck traffic in the district.

"I read about the agitation in the newspapers. I felt that I should visit the area and also let my children see what all is happening here," a woman came from Surote in the district said.

As the agitation entered its eight day, curious villagers from adjoining districts of Karauli and Bharatpur are reaching here to express solidarity with the protesters who are being led by 70-year-old Kirori Singh Bainsla, a retired army colonel.

"I read about the agitation in the newspapers. I felt that I should visit the area and also let my children see what all is happening here," a woman who came from Surote in Bharatpur district said.

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