Jaipur: Tonk collector Saumya Jha reached Samraota village in Deoli-Uniara on Friday, where the 'slapping' incident took place on Wednesday. Jha met the villagers and said their demand was valid, and a proposal would be sent to the state govt to place their village under the Uniara sub-division, which is 15-km from the village. At present, the village is under the Deoli sub-division, which is 50-km from their village.
Villagers were boycotting the assembly bypoll over this demand when an independent candidate, Naresh Meena, slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary, accusing the latter of forcing the villagers to vote. Meena was arrested on Thursday. During Jha's visit, a woman govt employee complained that the SDM threatened to suspend her if she didn't cast her vote. Jha said she would look into the matter.
"We will send the proposal to the govt with their (villagers) demand after the model code of conduct (MCC) is lifted. They came to us with their application on Oct 30, when the MCC was already in place. We couldn't send the proposal at that time, but I want to assure them that once the MCC is removed, we will fulfill their demands following the due process," collector Jha said.
On alleged police excesses in the village, Jha said the statements of villagers are being recorded and every detail will be examined. "Investigation is underway and action will be taken after the report is received. Our report on the investigation will be submitted (to the govt)," she added.
Jha said, "After the poll process ended around 8pm on Nov 13 and the polling party was leaving the polling station, the candidate (Meena) and his supporters tried to stop the govt cars. Tonk SP and ADM Malpura were present there during that time and they tried to talk but the candidate and his supporters assaulted them."
The collector said that police detained 60 people involved in stone pelting and violence. "Out of 60, more than 50 are outsiders. They didn't belong to the village. Therefore, the whole incident was pre-planned. Meena was detained but he somehow escaped, taking advantage of the confusion (on Wednesday). He was traced out on Thursday and arrested," she added. "Some of his supporters blocked the highway on Thursday, but it has been removed now. Peace has been restored in the village."