CHANDIGARH/YAMUNANAGAR: The ongoing Jat stir for quota today spread to Panchkula district, adjoining Chandigarh with agitators blocking Zirakpur-Shimla highway.
About 100-150 protesters blocked the six-lane Zirakpur-Parwanoo National Highway which links Shimla. Zirakpur-Parwanoo Highway is the entry point to popular tourist destinations like Shimla and Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.
"Protesters have blocked old Panchkula road. We are trying to persuade them to lift the blockade," a Panchkula police official said. He said the traffic was being diverted through Majri Chowk.
In Yamunanagar district, agitating Jats continued to block roads with felled trees and by putting up tents, though there was no report of any untoward incident in the district, official sources said here.
The blocked roads are-- Jagadhri -Ambala highway at village Kail, Bliaspur -Jagadhri road at village Bhedthal, Pontasahib-Jagadhri highway at, village Chhachrauli and Saharanpur -Radour-ladwa road. Several trains including Saharanpur-Kalka mail and Saharanpur- Nagal mail were cancelled by railway authorities.
A district administration official claimed the situation was under control and security personnel, including army, staged a flag march in several areas as confidence building measure.