Jats began their sit-in protests in several parts of Haryana on Sunday amid heightened security arrangements in the State.
Seeking release of youths arrested during the Jat agitation last year, jobs to kin of Jats killed in the agitation and action against officials responsible for firing on Jat agitators, the Jat community began its agitation in 19 districts of Haryana.
As a precautionary measure, Section 144 has already been imposed in sensitive districts, including Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra and at other places in the State. The district authorities has prohibited carrying of firearms and other weapons and open sale of petrol, diesel and other inflammable materials.
The call to resume the Jat agitation was given by the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) headed by Jat leader Yashpal Malik.
Paramilitary forces and Haryana Police are monitoring the situation in Jat-dominated districts of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Jind, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Panipat and others.
“Peace prevailed across Haryana on Sunday, with the State Government putting in place strict measures to maintain law and order in view of the proposed agitation for reservation,” said a government spokesperson.
“The district authorities in the state have also issued strict instructions that rumours or inflammatory content may not be spread through newspapers and publications, news channels, cable television operators, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media,” he said.
In view of the agitation, Jhajjar district administration has stopped all calling services including internet services like 2G, 3G, 4G, EDGE, voice calls and GPRS, SMS services and bulk messages provided on mobile networks in the district from 8 am to 6 pm on daily basis.
Owners of petrol pumps in the State have been instructed not to sell petrol or diesel to owners of unregistered vehicles or those without number plates. Similarly, owners of mechanical and technical workshops have been instructed to keep copy of identification and complete record of owners of vehicles being brought into their workshops.
Five police personnel have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty during a flag march after mock drill in Fatehabad.
With a view to prevent any illegal activities, District Administration Fatehabad has decided that details of protestors would be recorded in police stations on daily basis, and this information would be highlighted during recruitment to government jobs and other verifications.
The Chief Minister Manohar lal while talking to the mediapersons on Sunday said that all necessary arrangements have been made to deal with the situation in view of the agitation for reservation.
He said the State Government had sought 55 companies of paramilitary forces out of which 37 companies have already arrived. More such companies could be sought as per the requirement, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has appealed to various Jat organisations to maintain peace in the State and they have also assured the Government for the same.
The doors of the Government are always open for dialogue, he added. He also made it clear that whosoever tries to cross his limit and indulge in violence during the agitation, would be dealt with strict action.
In a communication to senior officers in the districts, Haryana Government had last week directed that security of all major critical points like drinking water supply to Delhi in Karnal and Sonipat, traffic movement on the GT road (National Highway No 1) and roadways depots should be secured.
Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, had been the worst-hit by the violence which broke out during last year’s Jat reservation stir in February. It had also affected Delhi as the protesters cut water supply to the national capital and caused massive damage to public property in Haryana.
This time, Rapid Action Force personnel have been deputed at Munak canal.
Notably, as many as 30 people were killed and 320 injured and property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was destroyed in Haryana during the violence last year. large-scale looting of commercial and business premises and even motorists was also reported from the 10 worst affected districts.
Meanwhile, Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) president Yashpal Malik on Sunday said, “The agitation will continue till the Government agrees to all our demands. As of now, only assurances have been given by the BJP Government and nothing concrete has happened.”
“The leaders of ruling BJP are trying to create tension in the region during the peaceful agitation planned by the Jats,” Malik alleged.