The members from Jat community were staging a dharna in Mayyar village when someone used objectionable language to which the non-Jats objected, leading to a clash between the two groups. Trains on the Delhi-Ambala and Hisar-Dhuri routes were hit as the protesters squatted on railway tracks as part of their plan to intensify the stir. Officials said that the situation was under control.
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Rohtak’s superintendent of police Shashank Anand said that the measures were taken “to maintain law and order” in the district.
A week-long protest by the state’s dominant Jat caste, who are demanding quotas for government jobs and in education, turned violent Friday as police fired on protesters with local reports saying four had died.
Police said some persons had pelted stones at the Jhajjar residence of Haryana Minister O P Dhankar, but no one was injured in the incident. Khattar also convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday night to review the situation in the wake of the agitation by the community which constitutes almost 30% of the state’s population.
At the moment army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in eight districts, including shoot-at-sight and curfew orders in two.
Mobile and internet services have been shut down in the affected areas as are schools, colleges, universities, shops, shopping malls and other essential services.
Jat agitators on Saturday set on fire the office of Budha Khera station master.
Haryana Director General of Police Yash Pal Singal told journalists that someone from a “leaderless” mob, which went on the rampage, setting fire to and damaging many vehicles, opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol, injuring a constable.
The protester was killed in Rothak district of Haryana, about 78 km north of India’s capital city New Delhi.
The rampaging mobs set ablaze the state finance minister’s house besides several government and private properties.
Asked about BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini’s remarks against Jat quota, Khattar said Kurukshetra MP’s statement “should be considered as withdrawn”.
Protests on February 17 erupted outside the Maharishi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak with several students raising slogans demanding reservation for the community.
He said that a leader-less mob of the Jat community was moving in Rohtak town and resorting to violence.
“We want BJP government in Haryana to bring legislation in the upcoming budget session to include Jats in OBC category”, he said. Mob violence was reported from many places in different districts.
The DGP said five persons have been arrested so far in connection with the incidents of violence while 129 had been booked.
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Jat leaders rejected the offer made by Haryana government and asserted that their agitation would continue till their demand is met. “There is no solid offer made by Haryana government”.
