Bharatpur: Former BJP MLA Attar Singh Bhedana died at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital late Sunday night after allegedly being attacked with sticks and stones during a clash with villagers over a long-running dispute involving a crusher mining lease in Bhaunda village, Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district.
The incident took place between 6:30 pm and 7 pm on Sunday in the area under Weir police station, when Bhedana was present at the crusher site. According to preliminary information, a group of around 70–80 people allegedly attacked Bhedana and his associate, Gagan Sharma, a resident of Nadbai. Both sustained serious injuries and were initially taken to Weir Hospital.
Bhedana was later referred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, where he died at around 11:30 pm while undergoing treatment. Sharma was referred to Bharatpur for further medical care.
Jitendra Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of the SMS police station, confirmed Bhedana’s death. His body was kept in the hospital mortuary.
Family Alleges Police Inaction, Gunshot Injury Disputed
Bhedana’s wife, Kamlesh, alleged that the police and administration had repeatedly been informed about problems at the crusher site but had failed to take appropriate action.
She said the electricity connection to the mining lease had been disconnected, the water pump had been damaged, and people visiting the site were frequently driven away.
Kamlesh further alleged that 70–80 people attacked her husband and others on Sunday evening. She claimed that Bhedana had suffered a gunshot wound. Around 20–25 employees were reportedly present at the crusher plant when the incident occurred.
However, doctors at Weir Sub-District Hospital said they had prima facie ruled out the possibility of a gunshot injury. Police officials said they were gathering information about reports of firing.
Dr Ravi of Weir Sub-District Hospital said the injured were brought to the facility at around 8:15 pm. After receiving initial treatment, Bhedana and Sharma were referred to other hospitals.
Four-Year Dispute Over Crusher Lease and Grazing Land
According to SHO Dhirendra Singh, the dispute between villagers and the crusher operator had been continuing for approximately four years.
Villagers have accused Bhedana of encroaching on grazing land and carrying out illegal mining. A separate dispute over the access road leading to the lease area has also been reported.
Police said villagers had been holding intermittent protests for the past two years. The crusher plant had reportedly remained closed for around a year, and Bhedana was attempting to resume operations when Sunday’s confrontation occurred.
Villagers claimed that a peaceful protest had been underway for the past 10–15 days. They alleged that 40–50 people associated with Bhedana’s faction arrived at the site on Sunday evening and forcibly removed protesters, triggering a clash between the two groups.
The confrontation escalated into violence, with both sides allegedly using sticks and stones. Bhedana sustained serious injuries during the incident.
Police Deploy Additional Personnel, Probe Underway
SHO Dhirendra Singh said neither side had filed a formal police complaint at the time of the statement.
Additional police personnel were deployed from Bharatpur following the incident. Officials were collecting information about the circumstances of the clash, reports of firing and the number of people injured.
Although around 20–25 people were reportedly present at the crusher site, the exact number of injured remained unclear.
Further details are awaited as police investigate the fatal clash and the allegations surrounding the long-running mining lease dispute.