Bharatpur/Dholpur, Sept. 14 -- Thousands of villagers protesting the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve blocked a highway in Dholpur and allegedly damaged police vehicles on Saturday, police said on Sunday. The blockade was lifted late at night after talks with officials. The villagers have been staging a sit-in for 32 days, demanding that inhabited areas be excluded from the tiger reserve and that local livelihoods be protected. Dholpur superintendent of police Vikas Sangwan said around 5,000 people from more than 100 villages participated in Saturday's protest at Basantpura Mor under the Sarmathura police station limits. "Some protesters blocked the highway and began pelting stones at the police. Police vehicles were also damaged, and some protesters have been detained," Sangwan said. Police officials reached the spot and tried to persuade the protesters to clear the highway. The blockade continued until late evening before the demonstrators agreed to withdraw following talks with the administration, the SP said. Police teams continued to patrol the area on Sunday to maintain law and order. The villagers accused the state government of ignoring their concerns. They claimed mining leases were closed after the declaration of the tiger reserve, resulting in job losses and forcing residents to migrate to cities for employment. Ajay Meena, a member of the protesters' committee, said "The agitation will continue until our demands are met. Residents and representatives from both Dholpur and Karauli districts are participating in the protest." Protesters claimed that 108 villages-68 in Dholpur district and 40 in Karauli-fall within the reserve area and that residents fear possible displacement....