Barmer/Pali, Nov. 9 -- Traffic on the Pindwara-Beawar National Highway came to a standstill for the second consecutive day as members of the Pashupalak (Cattle Rearers) Association and Rajasthan's Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) communities staged a massive protest near Balrai village in Pali district. The demonstrators, demanding official recognition, social welfare benefits, and land rights for their communities, have vowed to continue their "Mahapadav" until the state government initiates dialogue and addresses their demands. Earlier, the situation turned tense on Friday evening when a section of protesters threw stones at the police after multiple rounds of failed talks. In response, the police carried out a lathi charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The confrontation lasted for nearly an hour before calm was restored. National Pashupalak Association president and DNT state chief Lal Singh Devasi warned the government that if talks were not initiated soon, this movement would turn into a major movement like "Gujjar and Farmers' Protest." He said the community had already informed the administration three months ago about their demands but no action was taken, and now they were determined to fight for their rights. Amid the tense situation, the police and district administration are on high alert, with collector LN Mantri and SP Adarsh Sindhu deploying heavy police force at the protest site. Officials said they were trying to convince the demonstrators to end the blockade peacefully, but protest leaders have refused to move until their demands are accepted. On Saturday, the highway blockade, which began on Friday afternoon, has caused severe disruption with long traffic jams stretching up to ten kilometers on both sides. Authorities have diverted traffic through alternative routes as the highway remains sealed from both ends. Pali SP Adarsh Sidhu said, "We held several rounds of talks and tried to convince the protesters peacefully, but a few miscreants started pelting stones. The police were then forced to resort to a lathi-charge. The situation is now completely under control. A heavy police force has been deployed along the highway, and continuous patrolling is being carried out to maintain order." Barmer's Sheo MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati, Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, and RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal have all expressed solidarity through social media posts. Bhati criticized the administration's handling of the situation. The protestors, led by Lal Singh Devasi and other community leaders, are demanding the fulfillment of ten major issues, including recognition of their community status, access to welfare schemes, and land rights. As of Saturday afternoon, the protesters have given the government a deadline to send representatives for dialogue. The situation remains tense but under control, with police monitoring every movement on the ground. "We are not leaving without justice," said Devasi. "If the government keeps ignoring us, this will become another major movement like the Gujjar and Farmers' protests."...