Haryana government had yesterday called the Army in nine districts while curfew was imposed in two districts along with shoot-at-sight orders after one person died and several others were injured during the Jat stir which turned violent with mobs resorting to widespread arson.
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Protesters also blocked the road near Gehli, Dalanwas, Bass, Dongr Jat, Nizampur, Madhogarh and Mohanpur.
Army personnel could not enter Rohtak through road as protesters had put up blockades on Delhi, Hissar, Rohtak, and Fazilka highways, forcing the authorities to airdrop them from helicopters, an official said.
Mobile internet services were suspended indefinitely on Friday by Rohtak administration in Rohtak and Jhajjar following violent protests on Thursday by Jats in Haryana demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category.
“I appeal to the people especially the youth to stop the protests”.
Traders and advocates clashed outside the court premises at Rohtak during the protest, in which several vehicles were also damaged.
Four people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters, said Federal Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh.
“The protest will only end when government accepts our demands”, Yashapal Malik, the president of a Jat organisation that is leading the protest, told the AFP news agency.
Talks between community leaders and state government representatives failed to reach an agreement on the percentage of job benefits.
India grants people from lower castes a certain percentage of government jobs and university places to overcome discrimination and increase integration.
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But the policy of “reservation” causes resentment among other communities who say it freezes them out.
