Mobile internet services were suspended in Rajasthan’s Karauli district on Thursday as tensions between Gurjar and Meena communities over water release from Panchana dam spread on social media, prompting police to register FIRs against members of both groups for allegedly spreading inflammatory content.
Bharatpur District Commissioner Nalini Kathotia said that internet services will remain suspended until Thursday evening as a precautionary measure. “The suspension was imposed after offensive and provocative messages were exchanged between members of the Gurjar and Meena communities on social media. The district administration and police can provide further details on the issue,” Kathutia said.
On Wednesday, members of the Gurjar community blocked roads in several locations and held protests in and around Karauli, demanding legal action against members of the Meena community accused of posting offensive content on social media.
Members of the Meena community, in turn, staged a protest sit-in at Kosai village in Gangapur city division of Sawai Madhopur, alleging that water from Panchana dam was not reaching the canals in the command area.
Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena and Water Resources Minister Suresh Rawat visited the dam protest site on Wednesday evening. The two ministers chaired a late-night meeting with farmers and senior officials in Gangapur city, after which the demonstrators agreed in principle to withdraw their protests.
The farmers had claimed that water supply through the canal had stopped and demanded uninterrupted release of water from the dam.
Rural Development Minister Krishan Kunal said the technical issues encountered during the trial run of water release in the canal are being rectified to prevent similar problems in the future.
Rawat said the dam gates, which were commissioned after nearly 20 years, developed a technical glitch during the process. “All technical issues related to the dam gates will be resolved within seven days,” Rawat said.
He added that the work of the gates will be demonstrated in the presence of farmers during the period from July 17 to 18, and stressed that continuous water supply to farmers in the command area will be ensured.
Rawat added that a high-level investigation will be conducted if any official or employee is found to have been negligent.
Meena said the state government was committed to ensuring water supply to farmers in the command and catchment areas. He called on citizens to maintain peace, law and order.
“Strict legal measures will be taken against those who publish offensive or inflammatory content on social media,” Mina said.
After the two ministers’ assurances, the Minna community demonstrators withdrew their sit-in.
Meanwhile, the Gurjar community held a meeting at Gudla village in Karauli district on Wednesday. Community leaders issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning of a statewide road closure if those responsible for objectionable social media posts are not arrested.
Several Gurjar leaders, including Vijay Bainsla and Roop Singh Gurjar, addressed the gathering.
