Jat protest

Haryana to bring Bill for reservation to Jat community
AMN /

Haryana government will bring a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session to give reservation to Jat community in the state. Talking to media after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with a delegation of Jat leaders in New Delhi, BJP General Secretary and party state in charge Anil Jain said Centre will constitute a high powered committee to look into how reservation for Jats can be given under Constitutional boundaries. He also appealed to those protesting for Jat reservation to maintain peace.

Home Minister also held a review meeting in his residence over the issue. The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Dalbir Suhag, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi among others.

The agitation has affected rail and road transportation in the affected areas.The protesters are demanding reservation for Jat community under OBC category.

Meanwhile, The situation is fast returning to normalcy in Haryana where Jat agitation turned violent. During a review meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha in New Delhi this morning, State Chief Secretary through video conferencing informed that civil administration is effectively strengthened by Paramilitary Forces and Army columns leading to restoration of law and order in affected districts.

An official release said, the blocked road between Rewari and Jhajjar has been opened and other road blockades are being cleared fast. Mr Sinha told the Chief Secretary that water supply to the national capital should be the top priority. He said, all measures should be taken to ensure that no disruption in water supply takes place. The Cabinet Secretary directed the authorities to take stringent action against those indulging in violence and other anti-social activities.

Haryana Director General of Police Yashpal Singhal said, the situation in various affected towns is improving. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh today, he said, army and police are working in full coordination. The DGP appealed to the Jat agitators to vacate the roads and rail tracks and raise their demands peacefully. Mr Singhal said, water supply to Delhi will be restored.

The DGP said, till now total 10 people have been killed and 150 injured in various incidents of violence during agitation so far. He said, 45 people have been arrested and cases have been registered against 191 people for indulging in violence. The DGP said, efforts are on to get vacated the national highways.

Meanwhile, Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for harmony in the state. He appealed to everyone to protest peacefully for Jat reservation. He said, there should not be any loss of life or property due to the agitation. Jat leaders of Haryana are scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this afternoon over the issue.

Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar have appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and come forward for talks to resolve the issue. Several Jat leaders have refused to call off the pro-quota agitation unless the government promulgated an ordinance to include the community in the OBC category.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Civil Aviation has organised additional flights in view of ongoing road blockades and disturbance in Haryana. An official release said these additional flights will fly from Delhi to Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jaipur till tomorrow.