JAIPUR, India: Members of an Indian minority group demanding job quotas called off their violent campaign on Wednesday after the authorities agreed to reserve more jobs for them, community leaders and officials said.
At least 40 people have been killed since the group, the Gujjars, began protests last month in the western state of Rajasthan. Most of those killed were Gujjars shot by the police during rioting after the killing of a police officer.
K. S. Bainsla, the leader of the Gujjars, said they were "fully satisfied" with the talks.
Members of the community had demanded that their place in the Indian caste system be downgraded, making it easier for them to qualify for reserved government jobs and university quotas.
India reserves about half of all government jobs and seats in state colleges for people born into lower castes and tribal groups, who tend to be poorer than other Indians. Vasundhara Raje, chief minister of Rajasthan, said an additional 5 percent of local government jobs and seats in state-run colleges would be reserved for Gujjars and three other groups.
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