JAIPUR: Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered here to march from Musafir Khana, Moti Doongri Road to the residence of chief minister Vasundhara Raje to protest against the murder of Umar Khan, a cattle transporter, allegedly by cow vigilantes in Alwar on November 10.
Addressing the gathering, Sawai Singh, convenor of the different civil society groups that have come together to demand justice for Ummar and work to prevent such violence in future, said he had sought permission for the march but received no response from the administration. A contingent of at least 150 policemen and women - many Special Task Force personnel in riot gear - turned up at the site of the protest.
"This is not an issue that pertains to one community alone; the people gathered today represent all creeds and all walks of life. Chief minister Raje has not yet spoken on this murder, although she is touring areas where bypolls are due," he said.
Protesters had sought permission to go up to the residence of Raje in Civil Lines. Marchers held up placards and marched in two files up to Lal Koti police station on Moti Doongri Road, where policemen stopped them from proceeding.
A teacher at a government school, unwilling to be named, said, "The first FIR to be lodged was one of cow smuggling in the case. It took two days for the police to find his body. There are reports in the media that the witness in the case too was only left behind because attackers presumed him dead. Despite that, local police are digging up criminal cases against the dead victim."
As marchers were prevented from going beyond the police station, they were instructed to sit peacefully on the road. Sawai Singh said that since there was little hope of justice or compensation from the government, civil society groups had begun a donation drive. "Rs 50,000 had already been collected, and the aim is to grant to the family of Ummar relief of at least Rs 5 lakh. We have little hope from this government, and we rely on ourselves," Sawai Singh said.
Later, the protesters dispersed and a small group of leaders held a meeting to plan future course of action.
Addressing the gathering, Sawai Singh, convenor of the different civil society groups that have come together to demand justice for Ummar and work to prevent such violence in future, said he had sought permission for the march but received no response from the administration. A contingent of at least 150 policemen and women - many Special Task Force personnel in riot gear - turned up at the site of the protest.
"This is not an issue that pertains to one community alone; the people gathered today represent all creeds and all walks of life. Chief minister Raje has not yet spoken on this murder, although she is touring areas where bypolls are due," he said.
Protesters had sought permission to go up to the residence of Raje in Civil Lines. Marchers held up placards and marched in two files up to Lal Koti police station on Moti Doongri Road, where policemen stopped them from proceeding.
A teacher at a government school, unwilling to be named, said, "The first FIR to be lodged was one of cow smuggling in the case. It took two days for the police to find his body. There are reports in the media that the witness in the case too was only left behind because attackers presumed him dead. Despite that, local police are digging up criminal cases against the dead victim."
As marchers were prevented from going beyond the police station, they were instructed to sit peacefully on the road. Sawai Singh said that since there was little hope of justice or compensation from the government, civil society groups had begun a donation drive. "Rs 50,000 had already been collected, and the aim is to grant to the family of Ummar relief of at least Rs 5 lakh. We have little hope from this government, and we rely on ourselves," Sawai Singh said.
Later, the protesters dispersed and a small group of leaders held a meeting to plan future course of action.
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