A long day at work

Six companies each of the Rapid Action Force, Armed Police Constabulary and the Central Reserve Police Force mill around Bayana, while officers and jawans of the Border Security Force man the bunkers on the railway bridge next to Pilupura village.

The officials and the forces have been working under intense pressure, taking orders from higher-ups in Bharatpur and Jaipur, and managing government machinery 8220;on phone most of the time8221;. Some of them have been camping in the Circuit House on the outskirts of the town for the last 23 days.

Many of the men in charge of security sit listlessly at check posts along the entry points to Bayana and Pilupura. The railway crossings are manned by special teams of RAF and Rajasthan Police. After the police firing on May 23, things have been stable. Though they spend time hanging around and chatting8212;their favourite pastime is playing cards8212;these men have had enough.

A senior officer at a check point said on condition of anonymity, 8220;All this security only serves to dramatise the situation. The issue is simple but has gained importance all of a sudden because everybody wants to play politics. Even the higher officials are fed up now8221;.

And whenever there are high-level visits from Delhi and Jaipur, including members of the National Human Rights Commission, representatives of the Rajasthan government and top officials, the security is tightened further 8220;as they require a total overhaul of security whenever there is a visit8221;.

The fact that the Gurjjars have stuck to their demands and stayed put in Pilupura has only added to their frustration. Shyamveer Nagar, a Gurjjar soldier in the CRPF, said he was tired but spoke passionately about the agitation, 8220;The Gurjjar does not make a demand and then backtrack like the politicians.8221;

A visibly tired Sharma said, 8220;There is no solution in sight and it is a long way to normalcy,8221; Sharma said.