The state government said its response was firm and immediate, acting on high-level directives. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has asserted that there will be no leniency towards those who tamper with law and order.
A longstanding dispute over an alleged encroachment outside a mosque in Chomu escalated into violent clashes on Thursday late night, leaving six police officers injured leading to detention of over 50 people. As a precautionary measure, internet services has been suspended in the area.
The dispute centres on around 100 feet of land outside the Kalandari mosque, located at a key intersection near the Chomu bus stand. Police officials say locals and traders have complained for decades that the encroachment has reduced the width of the main road from 100 to 80 feet, resulting in frequent traffic congestion. Despite numerous complaints and repeated police negotiations over several months, the issue remained unresolved and now a court has issued a stay order.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Friday, Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham outlined the sequence of events. He stated a meeting was held on Thursday between the police administration and the concerned parties, during which an agreement was reached to remove the encroachment. “Both sides had agreed to to remove the encroachment,” Bedham said.
However, the situation deteriorated rapidly later in the night. “Late Thursday night, some miscreants attempted to re-encroach the road by installing iron railings. When the administration tried to stop them, they resorted to stone-pelting in which several police personnel were injured,” the minister said. He added that the situation was brought under control and action was taken against those involved, based on video footage, photographs, and other evidence. Detentions are underway.
Minister Bedham firmly asserted that the government’s actions were impartial. “The Rajasthan government’s policy on encroachment removal is completely impartial and there is no question of religion or caste involved.”
Police said the situation in Chomu remains tense but under control, with a heavy police deployment deployed in place. An investigation into the incident in underway.