In a decisive move following violent clashes, local authorities in Rajasthan's Chomu town carried out a major demolition drive on Friday, targeting structures allegedly linked to individuals involved in stone-pelting on police personnel last week.
Bulldozers Roll In After Midnight Violence
The action came as a sharp response to an incident on the night of December 25-26, where a mob hurled stones at policemen attempting to remove illegal iron railings outside a mosque in Chomu, located approximately 35 kilometers from Jaipur. The attack left at least four police officers injured.
Around 8 am on Friday, a joint team comprising police officers and Chomu municipal officials arrived at the area with bulldozers. Under heavy security, they proceeded to raze portions of 20 buildings and seal three others in the Imam Chowk and Pathan Mohalla areas. The operation was supervised by DCP Hanuman Prasad Meena, with two companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) and district police forces deployed to prevent any breach of peace.
Administration vs. Political Narrative
While the district administration officially labeled the action as a routine anti-encroachment drive, local BJP members asserted that the targeted buildings were directly linked to the accused in the violence. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa explicitly connected the demolitions to the stone-pelting incident.
"The bulldozer action taken by the Bhajan Lal (Sharma) government of the state against anti-social elements who spread unrest and disturbed peace in Chomu makes it clear that no one is above the law," Bairwa wrote on his X handle shortly after the drive.
Sandeep Singh Kaviya, the municipal officer overseeing the operation, stated that the targeted structures were commercial establishments, many selling non-vegetarian items, which had either encroached upon public roadways or were constructed without proper permissions.
Legal Process and Ongoing Investigations
The demolition followed a legal process. On December 29, municipal authorities issued notices to the owners of the 23 structures implicated in the unrest. After the expiry of the response period on December 31, the demolition proceedings commenced.
The aftermath of the violence has seen significant police action. More than 19 people have been arrested and over 100 suspects detained for investigations. The unrest prompted authorities to suspend internet services in Chomu temporarily for two days and deploy personnel from the special task force and riot control unit.
Special Police Commissioner (Operations) Rahul Prakash informed reporters that further investigations are ongoing, with potential additional suspects being identified. Authorities are also probing whether people from outside the state were involved in the incident.
DCP Meena explained that the initial tensions arose from a dispute over an encroachment outside a religious site. He confirmed that video footage of the incident is being scrutinized to identify all individuals involved in the stone-pelting.
