Jats resume quota stir in several parts of Haryana

CHANDIGARH: The Jats, on Sunday, resumed their peaceful agitation in several parts of Haryana demanding reservation and roll back of cases against those booked and arrested during the quota stir in February 2016. In last year’s stir, some thirty people had died and property worth crorers of rupees were damaged.

In Rohtak, which was epicenter of the agitation last year, the Jats began their dharna in Jassia village of the district after performing a havan (purification ritual) on National Highway 71A. The Jats held dharnas at Sonepat, Bhiwani, Jhaggar, Jainpur village and Ikkas village in Kurukshetra and Jind district respectively besides at Choupal village in Panipat, Naraingarh in Ambala, outside mini secretariat in Sirsa, near toll plaza in Ramayana village in Hisar. However, this time, the crowds were less when compared to last time but were increasing gradually.

The administration imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in 12 districts of the state thus banning the assembly of more than four persons in view of the possible strengthening of the agitation. Also it has shut mobile internet services and barred the sale of alcohol in the region. The police personnel are being given riot-control training and provided with required equipment to deal with any untoward situation.

Some 37 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed at sensitive places in the state. Rapid Action Force has been deployed along Munak Canal, which was breached in February last year disturbing the water supply to Delhi. Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) president Yashpal Malik said, “The agitation will continue till the government agrees to all our demands, as till now only assurances have been given by the government and nothing concrete has happened.

“The administration officials and leaders of ruling BJP are trying to create tension in the region. For instance, the police in Faridabad tried to provoke and arrest peaceful protestors sitting on the dharna,” Malik alleged.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar reprimanded BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini from Kurukshetra for commenting on Jat reservation as his comments had fuelled up the agitation last year.

Meanwhile the Jhajjar district administration has stopped all calling services including internet services like 2G, 3G, 4G, EDGE, voice calls and GPRS, SMS services and bulk messages provided on mobile networks in Jhajjar from 8 AM to 6 PM on daily basis, with an immediate effect.

Also, five police personnel have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty in Fatehabad district. However, no untoward incidents were reported from the region.