Rajasthan by-poll candidate arrested amid high drama for slapping SDM
Tonk (Rajasthan): An independent candidate in the by-poll for Rajasthan’s Deoli-Uniara Assembly seat was arrested on Thursday amid high drama for hitting a poll official on camera while voting was underway, media reports said.
According to media reports, the police had to launch a "strategic" operation involving a large team wearing riot gear to arrest Naresh Meena, who is a Congress rebel.
Videos shared by news agency ANI showed Meena grabbed Malpura Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Choudhary by the collar at a polling booth in Samravata village in Tonk district and slapped him.
Rajasthan: Former Congress leader and now Independent candidate Naresh Meena slaps SDM outside booth
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 13, 2024
SDM Amit Chaudhary was on duty to monitor election protocols. pic.twitter.com/jrZC6LHjyj
Following the incident, Meena and his supporters staged a dharna at the site. Meena asserted that he had been "informed that the SDM had allowed three fake voters to cast their votes." "The public became agitated when they saw those three workers under the SDM vote, but I managed the situation," he claimed, according to Indian Express.
Later that evening, around 10 p.m., clashes broke out between Meena’s supporters and the police.
According to officials, more than 50 people were injured, and over 60 vehicles were set on fire during the incident.
#WATCH | Tonk, Rajasthan: Supporters of Naresh Meena set fire on the state highway outside Samravata village, to protest against this arrest. pic.twitter.com/NU5lX2OP3I
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
He was eventually arrested on Thursday amid a carefully planned police operation.
Ahead of his arrest on Thursday, Meena addressed the media at 9.30 am and rubbished allegations that he slapped the SDM because the latter belonged to the Jat community.
He, however, justified his act with the claim that Choudhary forced people to vote in favour of the BJP candidate.
According to an NDTV report, Meena said, "My plan was to visit every booth... but I found out the entire administration was working to ensure the BJP candidate will win. People were being forced to vote," he claimed, "When I asked who was forcing them they said it was the SDM. Yes, I slapped him but I did it because he was doing something wrong."
#WATCH | Tonk Violence | Rajasthan: Independent candidate from Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency, Naresh Meena says, "SDM has no caste. I would've beaten him no matter what caste he belonged to... This is the only treatment to mend their ways... We did not do anything since… pic.twitter.com/tnfiVaFAGo
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
Meanwhile, Tonk District Collector Saumya Jha said SDM Choudhary was asked to file a report on the incident, based on which an FIR has been registered.
Jha said Meena was arrested from the spot of his agitation after the FIR was filed.
On Wednesday night, the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) Union also threatened to go on strike if immediate action for allegedly assaulting the SDM.
The Jat Karamchari Welfare Society Rajasthan has also condemned the incident.
However, Meena’s supporters have accused the police of attacking peaceful protesters who were having dinner.
According to the Indian Express report, the police had tried to arrest Meena on Wednesday night but failed to do so due to his protesters.
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