Tension in Baran escalates over calf remains, Section 163 imposed

Jaipur: Tension prevailed during protests over the recovery of severed remains of a calf in Baran Monday. The remains of the calf were found spilled on the road under the Kotwali police station area of Baran city three days ago. The incident triggered widespread anger among cow vigilantes and right-wing organisations, who called for a bandh, leading to the complete closure of markets and disruption of normal life across the city. During the bandh, the protesters clashed with the police, and the police used force to disperse the angry mob. The protests, which started Sunday, converted into a bandh Monday when protesters gathered at Pratap Chowk in Baran, raising slogans and taking out rallies. Protesters shut down commercial establishments and staged sit-ins at several locations, including Chaar Murti Circle.
Protesters alleged that the cattle was slaughtered using sharp weapons and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits, along with a fair and transparent investigation. Despite repeated appeals and assurances by the administration, the protesters refused to disperse. As the situation escalated, police resorted to force and used batons at Pratap Chowk to disperse the crowd. "Around half a dozen protesters were taken into custody, while two persons sustained injuries during the ensuing chaos," said an officer. Later, incidents of stone-pelting were reported near Deendayal Park, prompting police to use gas guns to control the situation. District collector Rohitashva Singh Tomar and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Adanshu rushed to the spot and appealed to the public to maintain peace. In view of the prevailing situation and the upcoming Holi festival, the district administration has imposed Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to prevent further escalation. Additional police forces were deployed from Kota city, rural areas, and Bundi district to maintain law and order. "The owner of the calf too maintained that it was a natural death. Despite this, we registered a case and started investigations. A memorandum was taken from the protesters, which was about the upkeep of the bovines in the cow shelters," said Abhishek Andasu, the Superintendent of Police, Baran, while talking to TOI. He said that the situation was peaceful in the area.