Pink City caught unawares by late night mayhem; many areas under curfew

The Friday’s late night fracas between a motorcycle- borne couple and the beat police in the predominantly Muslim Ramganj area of the Jaipur’s Walled City brought life in the whole of the city to a standstill on Saturday. As the rest of the city went to sleep the previous night the Walled City area witnessed wide-spread violence which provoked the police to burst tear gas shells and fire in the air.
One person was killed and several others, including police personnel, were injured in the incident. The reason for the death is not yet officially revealed. The victim has been identified as Adil Raees (22), a resident of the city’s Gangapol Gate.
In a fresh incident on Saturday a stationary bus was set on fire by unidentified miscreants in the Transport Nagar locality. No one was injured in the incident. On Saturday morning most of the Jaipur citizens woke up unknowing about the trouble of the previous night. The Walled City people missed the morning cup of tea as milk was not supplied in the area and curfew was already in force by the time they got up.
The whole of Jaipur went without internet as the authorities asked the service providers to suspend the facility in the entire capital in order to avert rumour mongering and any attempt at spreading panic.
Following the Ramganj violence curfew is in force in the police station areas of Ramganj, Subhash Chowk, Manak Chowk and Galta Gate of the city. The previous night’s violence had resulted in injuries to dozens of people and damages to property and vehicles, including an ambulance and a police jeep. The cameras of newsmen who were in the area covering the incident too were damaged.
The situation though said to be under control, continued to be tense as the relatives of the deceased refused to accept the body and carry out his funeral till evening demanding a compensation of Rs.1 crore and a government job to a family member.
During the day neighbours and relatives of the deceased and other victims reached the Ramganj police station to press for their demand of compensation. Though the DCP(North) Satyendra Singh, while talking to the media, did not confirm the reason for the death, Mohammed Jahir, a relative of the victim alleged that Adil was killed in by a police bullet which pierced his head. The DCP said that the police was awaiting the post mortem report for ascertaining the cause of death.
The police station at Ramganj was visited during the day by BJP State president Ashok Parnami, Jaipur Mayor Ashok Lahoti, Minorities Commission Chairman, Jasbir Singh, former Jaipur MP Mahesh Joshi and social worker, Haji Nizamuddin Khan.
It was generally believed that the entire violence could have been avoided if those involved—both the police and the public—had kept some restraint. Even the Police Commissioner of Jaipur, Sanjay Agarwal shared this view point when he said, “Owing to a small rift between a police constable and a motorcycle-borne couple, clashes between the locals and the police took place late last night. The sensitive area of Ramganj turned violent. Locals pelted stones and also set some vehicles ablaze. Public property was damaged and a few people were injured," he said.
Expressing concern over the developments, Congress General Secretary and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony upholding the highest traditions of Jaipur. He asked them not to believe in rumours and not be provoked. Mr.Gehlot asked the authorities to take strong action against anti-social elements and start a dialogue with the people of the area.