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The Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested independent candidate Naresh Meena, who allegedly slapped a senior official during bypoll in Tonk district.
Congress rebel Naresh Meena slaps poll official | Image/X
The Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested independent candidate Naresh Meena, who allegedly slapped a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) outside a polling booth during by-elections in the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency in the Tonk district yesterday.
Meena was arrested in a ‘strategic’ operation carried out by senior police officers who were seen wearing protective vests and helmets while marching down a rural road. Moments before the arrest, Meena called on his supporters to “surround the police and block the traffic.”
मैं समरावता गाँव के अंदर बैठा हूँ,पुलिस ने गाँव को चारो तरफ से घेरकर नाकाबंदी कर रखी है, पुलिस किसी को गाँव के अंदर आने नहीं दे रही है,मेरी आप सभी से अपील है की तुम सब पुलिस को घेरकर उनकी नाकेबंदी कर दो, और चक्का जाम करदो! pic.twitter.com/PQyuvTO8E8— Naresh Meena (@NareshMeena__) November 14, 2024
The arrest follows the high drama that unfolded in the district late Wednesday night when police attempted to detain Meena for allegedly assaulting SDM Amit Chaudhary during the bypoll.
The video of the incident that surfaced online showed Meena slapping the senior official outside a polling booth where he was overseeing election protocols.
Meena, a former Congress leader, was recently sacked from the party over his decision to contest as an independent after it nominated Kastor Chand Meena over him for the Deoli-Uniara bypoll.
#WATCH | Tonk, Rajastha: Police arrests Naresh Meena from Samravata VIllage.Naresh Meena, independent candidate for Deoli Uniara assembly constituency by-polls in Tonk district, after he allegedly physically assaulted SDM Amit Chaudhary at a polling booth yesterday pic.twitter.com/v8meme4qsw
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
What Led To Violence
The dramatic incident occurred in Samarwata village where the voters boycotted the bypoll over demands to include their panchayat in the Uniara constituency instead of Deoli, said officials.
As the situation tensed, Meena accused the SDM of undermining the boycott by secretly allowing three people to vote- a move that outraged the Congress rebel.
Kalesh b/w SDM and Former Congress leader Naresh kumar meena (Former Congress leader and now Independent candidate Naresh Meena slaps SDM outside booth) Rajasthanpic.twitter.com/Niw17U7gn3— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) November 13, 2024
SP Tonk, Vikas Sangwan said, “He (Meena) was asked to not take the law into his hands and surrender. Initially, he was not in the mood but seeing the police force, he agreed. He will be charged under the relevant sections.”
The police claimed that there was a ruckus and incident of stone pelting and arson when they tried to arrest Meena in the Tonk district yesterday. “Older records will be opened and arrests will be made accordingly. 50-60 people have been detained in this case so far,” said the officials.
- Location :
Rajasthan, India
