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DEMAND FOR CHANGE: The Gujjars want to be declared a Scheduled Tribe, which will entitle them to job and education privileges. They have reached an agreement with the Rajasthan government. -- AFP
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NEW DELHI - AN INDIAN community group demanding special government treatment has called off violent protests which left 28 people dead in the past week, its leaders said yesterday.
'We are ending our protests. We have got the results that we wanted,' Mr Kirori Singh Bainsla, leader of the Gujjar community, told reporters in Jaipur, capital of the desert state of Rajasthan.
The Gujjars called off the protests after reaching an agreement with the Rajasthan government, which promised to form a panel to look into the community's demands.
The Gujjars, traditionally shepherds who make up about 5 per cent of Rajasthan's population, want the special Scheduled Tribe status which would grant them job and education privileges.
In a week of violence in Rajasthan, 20 people died in clashes with the police, while eight more were killed in violent protests by Gujjars and the rival Meena community.
The influential Meenas are opposed to the Gujjar proposal as they already enjoy the special status and fear more competition.
Earlier yesterday, the Gujjars tried to cut off the Indian capital New Delhi from the rest of the country by stopping traffic into the city.
Hundreds of protesters blocked some highways leading to New Delhi, clashing with police and burning two buses.
It was the seventh day of protests by the Gujjars.
Police said protesters had congregated along at least four major highways and were attempting to block traffic into New Delhi, adding that there were sporadic clashes between police and demonstrators in some areas.
The authorities deployed thousands of police and paramilitary forces to keep the peace.
Local television stations showed two buses burning and protesters throwing stones at police.
Other demonstrators waved sticks, held hands and blocked roads, causing massive traffic jams in many areas.
A witness said a highway from the eastern satellite town of Noida into New Delhi was also blocked in parts by protesters, who burnt effigies of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
Protesters also disrupted rail traffic near New Delhi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state.
An official said two passenger trains were stopped after protesters blocked the tracks.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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