Thu Nov 14 13:34:59 UTC 2024: ## Tonk Bypoll Violence: Independent MLA Candidate Arrested After Slapping SDM

**Tonk, Rajasthan:** Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday following violent protests in the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency where he was contesting the bypoll. The arrest comes a day after Meena allegedly slapped a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in full view of the media during the polling process.

The incident occurred in Samravta village where locals had boycotted voting due to a dispute over the village’s administrative jurisdiction. Meena was supporting the villagers’ demand to be included in the Uniara sub-division, not Deoli.

As SDM Malpura, Amit Chaudhary, tried to encourage voters to participate, Meena allegedly grabbed his collar and slapped him. This sparked widespread violence, with vehicles being torched, police being pelted with stones, and 60 individuals arrested.

The violence further escalated when Meena and his supporters staged a dharna in the village. Despite police attempts to remove them, Meena remained defiant, stating, “I will not surrender.”

In response to the incident, the Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Association called for a pen-down strike, disrupting government work. They demanded Meena’s arrest and threatened to continue their protest until a meeting with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Police eventually took Meena into custody after deploying in full force and firing teargas shells to disperse the agitated mob. Four cases were registered against Meena, including for disrupting public work and damaging public property.

Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, emphasized the government’s strict stance against crime, promising a thorough investigation and action against those found guilty.

This incident highlights the escalating tensions in the lead-up to the bypoll, fueled by local grievances and the actions of the Independent candidate. The arrest of Naresh Meena is a significant development, but the repercussions of the violence are still unfolding.

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