Ten students held for stoning Rajasthan BJP leader's house

Jaipur, Aug 19 (IANS) Ten students were arrested Sunday in connection with stone hurling at the house of former Rajasthan minister and BJP legislator Rajendra Rathore immediately after the results of student union elections in Churu district, police said.

About a dozen people including policemen had been injured in the attack Saturday evening, they added. Traders' association and minority organisations observed a shut-down of markets in protest of the incident Sunday.

According to police, the incident took place at Taranagar in the district, some 200 km from Jaipur.

"Rathore had organised a function for minority community leaders Saturday. A student union had taken out a rally after the election results were announced. When the rally was passing by Rathore's house, some students suddenly started hurling stones," a police officer said.

The officer said that seven policemen and five others were injured.

"We resorted to a mild baton charge to disperse the students. About 10 students have been arrested," said the officer.

He added that traders' associations and minority organizations had called for a shut-down in Taranagar and Churu.

"The shutdown had been peaceful. However, we had deputed additional police force to maintain law and order," the officer said.