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Ethnic Indian protesters block traffic with dead bodies

Hundreds of Gujjar protesters paralysed traffic in western India on Tuesday, blocking roads and rail tracks, alongside dead bodies of protesters killed in clashes with police.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 14:07 May 27, 2008
  • Gulf News

Jaipur: Hundreds of Gujjar protesters paralysed traffic in western India on Tuesday, blocking roads and rail tracks, alongside dead bodies of protesters killed in clashes with police.

Police said the protesters squat on rail tracks and a highway connecting Jaipur, the state capital, to the Taj Mahal town of Agra, as well to India's financial capital Mumbai.

"Almost all the national highways are functional except for Jaipur-Agra where a 20-30 km of diversion has been made", said V.S. Singh, Rajasthan's Home Secretary.

The Gujjars want to be reclassified further down the complex Hindu caste and status system so they qualify for government jobs and university seats reserved for such groups.

Gujjars say they deserve preferential treatment, but a state government committee did not agree.

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