Dramatic arrest of Rajasthan's Naresh Meena, cops arrive in riot gear

Independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested Thursday in Rajasthan’s Tonk district following his alleged assault on an election official during bypolls. The arrest triggered significant unrest, with Meena’s supporters taking to the streets in a violent demonstration against his detention. The clash began after Meena reportedly slapped Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary outside a polling booth on Wednesday, where Chaudhary was overseeing the electoral process. Video footage of the assault quickly surfaced, showing Meena confronting the SDM and the subsequent altercation.

Attempts by the police to take Meena into custody in Samravata village led to an intense standoff, as his supporters gathered to prevent his arrest. In their attempt to block the authorities, the protesters set tyres on fire on nearby roads, creating further obstacles and heightening tensions. Hundreds of Meena’s supporters threw stones at the police, damaging nearby properties and leaving a trail of destruction in the area.

Violence escalated rapidly, resulting in nearly two dozen large vehicles and 48 motorcycles being torched by rioters. Ajmer Range Inspector General (IG) Om Prakash stated that the police had to deploy tear gas to control the situation as officers faced a barrage of stones and other projectiles. The IG confirmed that law enforcement made at least 60 arrests in connection to the unrest, with several more expected as investigations continue.

As the damage accumulated, the authorities deployed Special Task Force (STF) units early Thursday morning to secure Samravata village and conduct search operations. The STF focused on identifying and apprehending other rioters responsible for the violence, while additional forces were stationed across the district to ensure stability during the remainder of the election period. Local police worked to restore calm, but the impact of the riots left several homes and public properties severely damaged.