1 dead as protests erupt in Jaipur, curfew imposed after police ‘assault’ woman

According to locals, Friday’s clash erupted after a Muslim woman was allegedly hit by a cop with a baton while evicting illegal street vendors around 8 pm.

Curfew was imposed in parts of Jaipur after late-night violence between locals and police, triggered by an alleged assault on a woman by the cops, left one person dead in Ramganj area of the state capital’s walled city.

Curfew has been imposed in Manak Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Galta Gate and Ramganj police station areas of Jaipur.(HT PHOTO)

Stone-pelting agitators set an ambulance on fire, damaged a patrol vehicle besides breaking the camera of a photojournalist as police resorted to tear-gas firing and baton-charging the mob, before deploying additional forces after nearly two hours of violence.

A little after midnight, police confirmed the death of a civilian, Aadil, and said the cause will be ascertained after post-mortem.

The walled city encompasses Jaipur’s oldest areas falling within a wall built in 1727 built by then-king Maharaja Jai Singh II. Ramganj has a large Muslim population and is considered a sensitive area where tempers can flare very quickly.

According to locals, Friday’s clash erupted after a Muslim woman was allegedly hit by a cop with a baton while evicting illegal street vendors around 8 pm.

“The law and order situation is stable now. We are taking the help of the public and community leaders to maintain peace in the area,” Jaipur police commissioner Sanjay Agarwal told HT.

“Curfew has been imposed till further orders in Manak Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Galta Gate and Ramganj police station areas of the city,” Agarwal told news agency IANS.

According to sources, internet connection in various parts of the city could also be suspended to prevent the spread of rumours.