Rajasthan continues to simmer, 23 trains cancelled

The Indian Railways cancels 23 trains to and from Rajasthan as clashes between Gujjars and the authorities again turned violent.

The Indian Railways on Thursday cancelled 23 trains to and from Rajasthan and rescheduled one more as clashes between Gujjars, who want Scheduled Tribe status, and the authorities again turned violent.

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The Sarai Raohilla-Porbander Express, Bareilly-Bhuj Express, Ahmedabad-Ashram Express, Jaiselmer-Intercity Express, Ahmedabad Rajdhani, Nizamuddin-Udaipur Mewar Express and Mumbai Rajdhani were among the trains cancelled since Thursday morning.

Arterial highways were also blocked leaving hundreds stranded. Reports say protestors have torched official property in various parts of Rajasthan as the government grapples to find a solution.

Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, Jaipur and New Delhi form the most visited tourism circuit in India, called the Golden Triangle. The protests have choked the highways linking Jaipur with the two other cities.

Reports of protestors torching government properties and vehicles have come in from Kota, Sawai Madhopur and Dausa, where the trouble started Tuesday. The death toll in the violence has touched 17 and at least seven policemen have been reported missing.