By IANS
New Delhi : The central government Tuesday rushed over 2,500 paramilitary personnel to Rajasthan to assist police in restoring peace after at least 14 people were killed in the state's worst outbreak of violence in decades.
Union home ministry officials said besides dispatching 23 and a half companies of various forces including Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force, the government was also arranging around 10 more companies to be sent to the state.
They said the central government was closely monitoring the situation in Dausa, Karauli and Bundi districts where 14 people were killed and over 80 injured as police opened fire to disperse protesting Gujjars.
The Gujjar community has been seeking the tribal status in a bid to improve their economic standards.
The violent clashes have prompted authorities to deploy Army personnel on the Jaipur-Agra National Highway stretch.
"Around 20,000 security personnel have been deployed in the area to tackle the situation," a senior official said in Jaipur.
Officials said Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who was in the national capital to attend the National Development Council meeting, apprised Home Minister Shivraj Patil of the situation.
Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta also spoke to the state chief secretary, while Special Secretary (Internal Security) M.L. Kumawat spoke to the state police chief and discussed the situation.