High drama ensued in Rajasthan's Tonk after a huge police posse arrived at Samravata village to arrest Congress rebel and Independent candidate Naresh Meena on Thursday, a day after a video went viral showing Meena slapping a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
A police force in riot gear, led by Tonk SP Vikas Sangwan, was seen marching to the village. The official told reporters that the police would approach the situation strategically and had asked Meena to peacefully.
However, Meena declared he had no plans to surrender. He told reporters that he would not surrender and urged his followers to "surround the police... jam traffic". The bid to arrest Meena for assaulting SDM Amit Chaudhary during the bypoll triggered tensions in the district on Wednesday night.
#WATCH | Tonk, Rajastha: Police arrests Naresh Meena from Samravata VIllage.
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
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
#WATCH | SP Tonk, Vikas Sangwan says, "He has asked to not take 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 relevant sections. Older records will be opened and arrests will be made… https://t.co/k9pFmMiQCv pic.twitter.com/72oG2yjNPY
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024
However, Meena soon agreed to surrender and was taken into police custody. "He has asked to not take the law into his own hands. Initially, he was not in the mood but seeing the police force, he agreed. He will be charged under the relevant sections. Older records will be opened and arrests will be made accordingly. As many as 50-60 people have been detained in this case," SP Sangwan told reporters.
The incident leading to the arrest happened on Wednesday after a video went viral showing Meena slapping Malpura sub-divisional magistrate Amit Choudhary at a polling station in Deoli subdivision. Meena, who is contesting the assembly bypolls as an independent candidate, tried to force his way into a polling booth in Samravata village despite the police personnel trying to stop him.
He then rushed out from the police standing guard outside. When he comes out minutes later, he purportedly heads towards the SDM and slaps him. A police personnel is seen dragging him away from the scene.
Meena later claimed that the SDM allowed three fake voters to cast votes, which agitated the public. He claimed that he was only handling the situation.
However, Meena's action drew widespread criticism, with Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot asking how a person had the courage to assault an SDM. "Why did a situation arise where an SDM was slapped? How did he get the courage to do such a thing? The BJP has no tolerance towards any suggestions from the Opposition. What has the state government done this year and why is there no fear among the people that they take the law into their hands," Gehlot added.
