Retired IPS officer Parkash Singh who has been appointed by the Haryana government to inquire into the acts of omission and commission on part of officers of both police and civil administration during the Jat quota agitation, began probe on Friday.
Parkash Singh visited Rohtak on Friday and held a meeting with police and civil officials of the town. During the meeting, he inquired about the measures taken by the state police and administration to contain violent incidents in Rohtak during the Jat quota stir.
The officer also visited the sites which were burnt or damaged during the agitation.
Rohtak, being the epicenter of Jat agitation had witnessed maximum violence. As per an official survey, Rohtak had suffered a loss of Rs 394 crore.
The rioters had set several showrooms, outlets, other business establishments, schools and houses on fire, causing a heavy loss in the four districts, which are part of Rohtak division. As per the report, 1,290 victims of Jat violence in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat and Panipat districts have claimed Rs 326 crore as compensation for their damaged properties.
The Commission would meet people belonging to different sections of society and later conduct a meeting with mediapersons on Saturday.
The State Government had on February 24 appointed retired IPS officer Parkash Singh "to inquire into the acts of omission and commission on part of officers of both police and civil administration during the Jat quota agitation which resulted in violence, blockade of roads and extensive damage to public and private properties.
Prakash Singh will also undertake a thorough study of existing structures, procedures and systems for maintenance of law and order in the state and suggest such improvements in these, as he deems necessary, to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. He will submit his report in this regard within a further period of one month.
Notably, Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar had assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of inaction and inept handling of law and order situation during the Jat agitation.
Court denies interim relief to Prof Virender
The Rohtak court on Friday declined an interim relief to Prof Virender, the political adviser to Haryana's former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda in a sedition case registered against him last week.
Taking up an application for the grant of anticipatory bail moved by Virender's defense counsel, the Court has issued notice of motion for March 10 while asking Haryana police to submit its reply.
Defense counsel Navdeep confirmed that no interim relief had been granted by saying, "since there was no representative of police as well as state government who could respond to our request, hence only notice of motion has been issued.
Rohtak Police had on February 24 booked Virender and another person on sedition charges after the duo's audio clip of a purported conversation between them, allegedly to incite violence during Jat agitation, had gone viral on social media.
An FIR was registered against Virender and Man Singh Dalal under various sections of the IPC, including Section 124-A (Sedition) and Section 120-B (Conspiracy), Section 153-A (promoting enmity between classes) and Section 153-B (imputation, assertion prejudicial to national integration).
Hooda faced the wrath of residents
After facing protest in Rohtak, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday had to face the wrath of riot-affected Jhajjar residents during his visit to the town.
The kin of the deceased of caste violence who were attacked by agitating mob closed the doors of their houses for the former Chief Minister and also raised slogans against him.
Hooda had gone to violence-hit Chhawni Colony of Jhajjar where 4 men of non-jat community had fallen prey to agitating Jat mob. The families not only closed doors and refused to meet the senior Congress leader but also told him that they do not want his sympathy.
A total 13 persons, including 4 non-jats have fallen prey to caste violence on Jhajjar last month.
last week, Haryana Cabinet Minister OP Dhankar had also faced the wrath of the residents of Jhajjar during his visit.
Hooda while talking to the mediapersons later said that he will visit the town again. Both Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who visited Rohtak last month, had to face the ire of traders and shopkeepers, who suffered heavy losses during the Jat quota stir.
Cabinet Ministers blame Congress
Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar on Friday blamed Congress for the Jat quota agitation that turned violent in the state. During his visit to Rohtak, the Minister said that Congress is behind all this. The Congress had conspired against the State Government. As of now, few names have surfaced for making a conspiracy and more names from Congress would come forth in the coming time. The violent protest was done in an organized way in Rohtak, he alleged.
Meanwhile, Health and Sports Minister Anil Vij while speaking at Ambala said that the leaders should refrain from making irresponsible comments and blame game during this time following the recent unfortunate incidents during Jat agitation.We want a CBI or judicial inquiry into the matter. And the culprits of violence will not be spared, he added.
Haryana launches toll-free helpline number
To provide timely compensation to the riot affected families, Haryana Government has launched toll-free helpline number 1800-1373-825. Claimants may call this number to provide information regarding damage caused to their properties in the recent law and order disturbance in the state. An official spokesman said that claimants could call the helpline number from 9 am to 5 pm on any working day. The helpline number would not be available on Sunday. He said that the claimants could also submit their claims and related information in written to the deputy commissioners of their areas.