For the first time in 16 days since the agitation started on May 23, there was some hope of talks between the state Government and the Gurjjars. The first round of talks will be held in Bayana on Monday.

On Sunday morning, the Gurjjars dispatched a list of 45 persons to hold talks with S N Thanvi, the state Government appointed negotiator. But Thanvi turned down the list saying it was too long and the group should be reduced to 12 to 15. In the list, seven persons were from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The Government also placed a condition that the second round of talks should be held in Jaipur.

“They have not yet sent us the new list nor have they given us an approval in writing regarding the final talks to be held in Jaipur,” said Thanvi, hoping that the dialogue would be initiated on Monday.

On the other hand, Colonel K S Bainsla clarified that he would agree on talks in Jaipur only if the first round of talks proved to be “fruitful”. He also wanted the talks to be held in a “conducive” atmosphere.

Thanvi was expected to go to Jaipur to seek instruction from the political leadership before proceeding for the first round of talks.

The Gurjjars, meanwhile, continued to play a hard game. At Pilupura, even as Bainsla was readying for talks with the state Government, he called in for more Gurjjar men to come out to take the Government head on.

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