Barmer/Jaisalmer, July 20 -- Tensions escalated on Saturday after a Congress delegation en route to Basanpeer village in Jaisalmer was stopped by police at the Barmer-Jaisalmer border, triggering a heated confrontation between the leaders and law enforcement. The delegation, which included Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal, MP Congress in-charge and Baytu MLA Harish Choudhary, former minister Hemaram Choudhary, former MLA Madan Prajapat, Padmaram Meghwal, and several other leaders, was stopped at Fatehgarh-around 100 kilometers from their intended destination-while accompanied by a large group of supporters. The Congress leaders had planned to hold a Gandhi-style Ramdhun and interfaith prayer meeting in Basanpeer, which witnessed communal tensions on July 10 due to the reconstruction of traditional cenotaphs (chhatris). Congress leaders had sought prior permission from the Jaisalmer district administration. However, the administration denied approval and imposed Section 163 in the area, citing law and order concerns amid ongoing tensions. When stopped at a police barricade, MP Beniwal and MLA Choudhary confronted Station House Officer Satyaprakash of Sheo police station, demanding an explanation. The officer cited security concerns, which led to a heated verbal exchange and allegedly escalated into a physical scuffle involving the leaders and their supporters. Barmer ASP Jaitaram Boss and SHO Satyaprakash were present at the scene with a police contingent. Despite attempts by the Congress supporters to move toward Jaisalmer, police successfully restrained the group at the barricade. Despite being stopped by the police, Congress leaders held the planned Ramdhun and interfaith prayer meeting just 50 feet away from the barricade at an open ground in Fatehgarh. The event was attended by supporters and local residents. After the gathering concluded, the leaders returned to Barmer. Speaking to the media, MP Ummedaram Beniwal said, "Today's events have brought shame to the dignity of the Thar region. If the administration had shown such strictness on that day of the clash, the incident could have been prevented. Outsiders were brought in to provoke and incite local communities."...