Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Monday visited arson-affected areas in Rohtak during Jat quota stir and reiterated that incidents that occurred in Rohtak were a pre-planned political conspiracy.
At Rohtak, the Chief Minister visited Sukhpura Chowk, D-Park and Model Town areas and saw the private and commercial properties damaged during the agitation.
Manohar lal also visited the residence of Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu which was burnt down by rioters during the Jat agitation in February. Earlier, he also interacted with the affected persons and assured them of the full support and cooperation of the State Government.
While talking to the mediapersons during his visit, the Chief Minister said that the incidents of arson and violence are being investigated and stern action would be taken against those found guilty.
Reacting to the incident of rioters setting on fire the house of Finance Minister during Jat stir in February, the Chief Minister described the act as gruesome which should be condemned. He said that on seeing the house of Finance Minister, it seems that only a demon could do such act. Referring to the other incidents of arson and violence in Rohtak, Manohar lal said that shops were torched which not only caused financial loss but also snatched employment of many people.
The agitators did not even spare the temple in the house. Many videos of the agitation have been received and strict action would be taken against those found guilty, said he adding that a political conspiracy in the whole incident could not be ruled out.
The Chief Minister said that the Judicial Commission would look into it and the guilty would not be able to get scot free. After seeing the house of Finance Minister, one can say that this was not possible without a political conspiracy. The incidents of arson are part of a conspiracy. The lives of the members of the family were in danger, he added.
When asked that the Congress has released the photograph of Jat leader Sudeep Kalkal with BJP leaders, the Chief Minister said that it was a common practice to get photographed with political personalities. It is one such aspect which could not be especially cared for. There are evidences which have been gathered during the violence. The videos and photographs showing the people would be considered as proof, he said.
On the allegation that traders were being forced to sign the form of compensation, the Chief Minister said that in case the trader is not satisfied, he should not sign.
About withdrawal of cases registered in connection to violence during Jat stir that killed 30 people and injured more than 300, Manohar lal said that he had never committed that all cases would be withdrawn. But if someone is not guilty, he should not be scared as such cases would be withdrawn. Those who are guilty would not be spared, he added.
When asked about what action would be taken on the report of the Parkash Singh Committee, the Chief Minister said that the Committee was constituted to investigate the laxity of officers during Jat agitation and he would comment on it after receiving the report.
Action would be taken against the guilty after receiving the report of the Committee, he added.
Earlier, addressing a meeting of representatives of tradersin Rohtak, the Chief Minister said that Haryana Government has asked the nationalized banks to provide loans on nominal rate of interest to the traders affected during the Jat reservation agitation so as to enable them to restart their business.
Besides, the vehicles having third party insurance, which got damaged during the agitation, their losses would also be compensated by the State Government, he said while assuring that all obstacles in the distribution of compensation will be removed at the earliest.
He said that the State Government has written to the nationalized banks asking them to provide loans on nominal rates to the affected persons and other needy people so that they could re-establish their business.
The Chief Minister said there is a provision in nationalized banks to provide loans on nominal rate of interest in such circumstances and the limit of repayment of these loans is four years.
People with compensation claim of more than Rs 1 crore would get it in next 10-15 days. Apart from this, a Committee under the Chairmanship
of Additional Deputy Commissioners has been constituted to provide compensation to those who suffered heavy losses during the agitation, he added.
He informed that the State Government has distributed compensation to more than 1,250 affected persons in district Rohtak and the remaining would be given compensation within a week.
The Chief Minister Manohar lal had earlier on April 8 visited Kalanaur and Meham in Rohtak to reach out to those affected due to violence during the Jat agitation. During his earlier visit immediately after Jat agitation in February, the Chief Minister had to face the wrath of residents and was shown black flags by the residents in protest of his government’s failure to control the aggravated situation during the Jat agitation.