In a shocking incident during the bypolls in Rajasthan’s Deoli-Uniara constituency, Independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested after slapping the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), which led to widespread violence. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday in Samravata village, escalated into violent clashes between villagers and the police, resulting in 60 arrests and over 50 injuries.
The chaos began when Naresh Meena slapped the SDM during the voting process. Following this, heavy stone pelting erupted between the villagers and police forces, with violence continuing throughout the night. Arson and vandalism also marked the unrest, leading to further injuries. The police responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowds.
As the situation worsened, Naresh Meena was taken into police custody around 9 PM. However, his supporters, angered by his arrest, surrounded the police and managed to free him. This triggered another round of protests, as Meena was taken away by the villagers.
The police conducted raids in Samravata and nearby areas throughout the night, arresting 60 people involved in the violence. Over 50 individuals, including both police officers and villagers, were injured. Villagers have alleged that police forces set fire to several vehicles and detained many youths.
On Thursday morning, Naresh Meena shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), reassuring his supporters that he was safe. Later, he addressed the media, stating, “I have come here to surrender and demand a judicial inquiry into the incident. The police acted brutally, and we had no choice but to retaliate. Had the District Collector visited the spot, the situation could have been avoided.”
The police are still searching for Meena, who went into hiding after being freed by his supporters. Additional SP Brijendra Singh Bhati confirmed the ongoing investigation and said, “We are analyzing the losses and have made a few arrests. We will release further details shortly.”
This incident has sparked widespread concern about the breakdown of law and order in the region and the need for effective measures to ensure peace during elections.
