Clash over historic 'chhatri' in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer; BJP MLA spends night in violence-hit village

Jaisalmer, Jul 11 (PTI) BJP MLA Pratap Puri spent a night at the site where a clash had erupted over the reconstruction of historic memorial cenotaphs (chhatris) between members of two religious communities, officials said.

Independent MLA from Barmer's Sheo constituency, Ravindra Singh Bhati, also visited the site and condemned the incident.

Tension simmered in Basanpir village in Jaisalmer on Thursday following the reconstruction of the chhatris, which led to a violent clash. Police subsequently arrested 30 individuals, including 16 women.

However, the situation in the village remained calm on Friday, and the reconstruction work resumed.

MLA from Pokaran, Pratap Puri, spent the night at the site and participated in a 'Jaagran' (overnight vigil) with local residents.

Puri was joined on Friday by Sheo MLA Ravindra Bhati, who condemned the violence and urged authorities to prevent such incidents in the future.

"Some anti-social elements are disturbing the communal harmony in Jaisalmer and Barmer. This will not be tolerated," Bhati said.

"Strict action should be taken against the accused so that such incidents are not repeated," he added.

Police personnel remain deployed in the village to maintain law and order.

The sudden outbreak of violence on Thursday had left eight police personnel, a tehsildar, and at least two civilians injured.

The clash reignited a longstanding dispute dating back to 2019, when anti-social elements had demolished the historic chhatris built in memory of Jaisalmer's princely-era warrior Jujhar Ramchandra Singh Sodha and Paliwal Ji. Although local elders and the police had recently mediated a compromise to resume reconstruction, the fresh activity sparked renewed tensions and violence. PTI COR SDA HIG