Ahead of the proposed Jat reservation agitation beginning January 29 in Haryana, the Chief Minister Manohar lal on Friday held talks with Jat and Khap leaders, who again pressed for their long pending demands.
However, the talks between BJP led Haryana Government and Jat leaders ended without a “clear consensus” even as Chief Minister assured the delegation to consider their demands, including releasing the youth arrested in connection with the quota stir in February 2016, compensation and job to next of kin of those who were killed in the agitation.
Minutes after the meeting, the Jat and Khap leaders also warned the Haryana Gover-nment of a full-on war against them and organising a maha rally in Jind on February 26 if their demands are not fulfilled.
Sources said that the Chief Minister has asked the senior officials to begin the process of giving a job to next of kin of those who lost their lives during the agitation. The Government has decided to invite applications from their families in next 15 days and provide a job to a family member as per his/her qualification.
All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) leader Hawa Singh Sangwan, while talking to the mediapersons said that we have put forth two demands in the meeting and the CM has assured us to consider our demands.
But, in case our two demands are not fulfilled, we will organise a rally in February to make a strategy to fight for our demands, he said.
On the agitation call given by Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) led by Yashpal Malik in Haryana, Sangwan said that we have assured the Chief Minister to maintain law and order situation during the protest starting from January 29 in the State.
Some of the Jat and Khap leaders also accused the Malik group for trying to vitiate the peaceful environment of Haryana by organising the proposed agitation from Sunday onwards in 19 districts of Haryana. Meanwhile, Jat Jagriti Sena sat on a protest dharna in Rohtak on Friday demanding release of Jat youth arrested during February 2016 reservation agitation in the State.
Haryana Government and police are keeping a close watch on Jat leaders, especially those owing allegiance to the AIJASS ahead of the proposed agitation. The State Government had sent already sent a requisition for 55 companies of central paramilitary forces to the Centre to maintain the law and order situation in the State.
Paramilitary forces have already been deployed in some parts of Haryana and conducted flag march on Friday. Section 144 has also been imposed in Sonepat and Rohtak as a precautionary move.
During Jat agitation last February, districts namely Rohtak,Jhajjar, Sonepat, Jind, Hisar, Kaithal and Bhiwani had witnessed large scale violence. The violent quota agitation had left 30 people dead and more than 200 injured in Haryana.
This time, the State Government is in no mood to take any chance and is geared up to deal with any eventuality. District magistrates have been appointed and all 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 proposed protest.
The State Government has also directed the civil and police administration to undertake people contact programme to maintain peace in the state.
The Chief Minister had also asked his Cabinet Ministers to keep vigil in their constituencies during the proposed protest. He has also warned people to refrain from indulging in violence during the agitation.