The Jat community in Haryana continued their agitation for the second consecutive day on Monday while security forces and authorities remain on high alert in 19 districts where the protests are being carried out.
After dispersing on Sunday evening, more protestors joined the Jat agitation on Monday morning. At various dharna spots in districts of Haryana, the number of protestors, including women, was higher than that on Sunday.
Paramilitary forces and Haryana Police are monitoring the situation in Jat-dominated districts of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Jind, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Panipat and others.
Internet services have been suspended in the vicinity of dharna sites to check spread of rumours. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in some areas of the sensitive districts, banning gathering of five or more people.
The central forces conducted flag marches in some sensitive areas on Monday.
During a similar Jat agitation last year in February, 30 people were killed.
With bitter memories of last year’s large-scale violence fresh in the minds of people, Haryana remained on high alert this time as the Jat community started fresh protests in some districts on Sunday.
The call to resume the protests has been given by the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) headed by Jat leader Yashpal Malik in 19 districts. Apart from the quota demand, the agitators are demanding release of arrested Jat youths from jails, withdrawal of cases registered during last year’s agitation and grant of government jobs to the kin of youths killed and those injured during last year’s stir. In Haryana, all the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been directed to ensure that highways and railway tracks are not obstructed and no damage is caused to property during the protest.
The State Government has also warned agitators against taking law in their hands. Fatehabad Deputy Commissioner NK Solanki said that borders of the district have been sealed and police personnel have been deployed at all important markets, residential areas and Government and private institutions.
Deputy Commissioner Sirsa, Sharandeep Kaur Brar has directed the officers concerned to ensure that no objectionable audio or video or any other material which could disrupt the peace is telecast or broadcast through social media like cable TV, Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp.
Meanwhile, in Hisar, the dharna by Jats was addressed by various leaders of the community on the second day of the agitation amid elaborate security arrangements.
Ram Bhagat Malik, spokesperson of AIJASS claimed that the dharna would continue in a peaceful manner.
While addressing a gathering, the leaders said those Jat or Khap leaders “who betrayed the community by siding with the Government this time also, will have to face the consequences.
The community will teach them a lesson. They have been trying to weaken the agitation”.
Notably, Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar had been worst-hit by the violence which broke out during last year’s Jat stir.
Government and private property worth hundreds of crores was damaged and set on fire. large-scale looting of commercial and business premises and even motorists was also reported from 10 worst affected districts in Haryana.
