The ongoing Jat quota agitation in Haryana on Tuesday entered its third day and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state.
Amid elaborate security arrangements, the Jats held dharnas at several locations which remained peaceful. Several Khaps announced their support to the Jat agitation and also joined protest dharnas in 19 districts of Haryana on Tuesday.
The call for the fresh stir has been given by some Jat outfits, especially those owing allegiance to All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti led by Yashpal Malik.
Paramilitary forces are out in sensitive areas while heavy police force has been deployed to maintain strict vigil during the protest. Authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in some areas of the sensitive districts, banning gathering of five or more people.
During a similar stir a year ago, there were 30 deaths and widespread destruction of property. Notably, Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar had been worst-hit by the violence which broke out during last February’s Jat stir.
Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Ram Niwas while talking to the mediapersons said that peace prevailed in the state on the third day of Jat agitation and the organisers have assured that they would conduct the agitation in a peaceful manner.
Niwas said that the Central Government had given approval for deployment of 37 companies of the paramilitary forces in the state to maintain law and order situation. Of these, 17 companies have reached the state and the remaining would reach on February 1, he added.
He said that some songs with objectionable content aimed at causing caste-based ill-will have been intercepted. Strict action would be taken against persons found indulging in such activities and Internet services and websites may be blocked, if required. While social media had both positive and negative aspects, monitoring was being carried out for maintenance of law and order, said Niwas.
He added that communications are being maintained with all gram panchayats and they had been directed to assist the Administration in maintaining law and order.
Replying to a question, he said that the Jhajjar District Administration is reviewing its decision regarding stopping of internet services and social media websites. The Deputy Commissioner is fully authorised to take such decisions as according to the situation, he added.
On hunger strike by a Jat leader in Rohtak, he said that as per the jail manual, strikes and hunger strikes are illegal and action would be taken against those found indulging in such acts.
Notably, Jagpal, an accused in an attack on state Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu’s house during last year’s Jat stir, was admitted in Rohtak PGI after his condition deteriorated in the jail. The accused was observing a fast at the Sunaria jail in Rohtak.
Meanwhile, Indian National lok Dal is likely to join the Jat protesters as the party has announced that it will support the agitation if the BJP Government failed to fulfil its promises and do not give compensation or job to next of kin of those died during Jat quota stir last year.
leader of opposition in Haryana Assembly and INlD’s senior leader, Abhay Singh Chautala said that the BJP Government has failed to fulfil its promises so far. The INlD will also protest against the BJP, if the ruling party fails to keep its promises made to the Jat community, he added. Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has, however, made an appeal to the Jat community to ensure peaceful agitation in the state this time.
A day before, the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is leading the stir, had written letters to former chief minister Hooda, Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, Union minister Birender Singh, BJP zila parishad chairman Balraj Kundu, INlD leader Abhay Chautala and various Khaps to join them in protest.
On the other hand, Haryana Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu alleged that some people are trying to vitiate the peaceful environment of the state by organizing protests.
Hitting back at the BJP led Haryana Government, AIJASS chief Yashpal Malik on Tuesday said that the BJP leaders are threatening the protestors at various dharnas spots even as Jat community is holding peaceful protests in 19 districts of Haryana. Malik said that various Khaps have joined the Jats in their protest dharnas across the state on Tuesday. The AIJASS chief will visit dharna spots in Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonepat and Panipat districts on Wednesday.
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 the earlier stir.