The Akhil Bharatiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) on Sunday announced resumption of their agitation for job quota in Haryana from June 5. “We will hold ‘Jat Nyay’ rally in Haryana from June 5 as promises made by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar have not been fulfilled,” said ABJASS president Yashpal Malik while talking to the mediapersons in New Delhi.
He, however, did not reveal the details of the agitation programme. The Jats had earlier agitated in Haryana in February to press their demand for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. In the violence, 30 people were killed and more than 300 were injured and property worth hundreds of crores was destroyed in February.
The latest decision to hold the protest rally was taken at an emergency meeting of the ABJASS national executive. It also discussed the preparations for the new bout of agitation.
“We were promised that those arrested during the Jat quota stir earlier will be released and compensation given to kin of those killed or the injured. We will hold a peaceful protest, but if police retaliates or tries to stop us by using violence, the protestors are free to take their call,” Malik said.
Haryana Government had on May 13 notified the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in services and admission in educational institutions) Act, 2016, to provide reservation to Jats and five other communities.
However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an interim order to put on hold the quota approved by the State Government.
The Jat community subsequently threatened to re-launch their agitation from June 5, following which Haryana Police on May 27 said they were fully prepared to deal with any stir.
Meanwhile, District Administration Sonipat has imposed prohibitory orders in the district to ward off any tension, fights, threats to human life, damage to property and deterioration in the law-and-order situation. K Makrand Pandurang, Sonipat District Magistrate in his orders said that that there were chances that some agitators, hooligans and anti-social elements may cause damage to roads, railway tracks, water sources and power houses in view of the stay ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the Haryana Government’s decision to grant reservation to Jats and five other communities in jobs and educational institutions under the newly created Backward Class ‘C’ category.
There would be a complete ban on the gathering of five or more than five persons at any place and carrying sticks, axe, sword, knife or any other sharp weapons. These orders shall not be applicable to on-duty government employees and would remain effective for 60 days from May 28 to July 27, he added.