Fri Nov 15 13:28:31 IST 2024: ## Independent Candidate Arrested for Slapping SDM in Tonk, Rajasthan

**Tonk, Rajasthan:** The independent candidate, Naresh Meena, who slapped the SDM Amit Chaudhary in Deoli-Uniyara, Tonk district, was arrested by the police on Thursday. Meena was apprehended from his village and taken to the Peeplu police station.

A picture of Meena sleeping in the police lock-up has surfaced, showing him lying on the ground behind bars. The police, with a large contingent, had raided his village and arrested him along with 50 of his supporters.

The incident has sparked outrage amongst the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers. Over 200 officers reached the Chief Minister’s residence demanding strict action against Meena. Meena has 23 pending cases against him, including those filed after the slapping incident.

The police, under heavy security, apprehended Meena from his village where he was staging a protest with his supporters. He had initially refused to surrender, demanding his conditions be met before his arrest.

Meena has accused the SDM of forcing villagers to vote for the BJP candidate and threatening government employees with job loss if they didn’t cast their votes. He further alleged that despite his request, the Collector did not intervene in the matter, and remained unconcerned while his supporters were attacked by the police.

This incident has led to widespread tension in the region, with 60 people already arrested in relation to the violence that erupted following the slapping incident.

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