The agitation by the Jat in support of their demand for reservation continued to affect normal life in various districts of Haryana for the fifth day on Thursday.
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The agitation, which has been going on for last few days, escalated and turned violent soon after an all-party meeting held by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar issued an appeal for calling it off but it was rejected by the protesters.
Sporadic incidents of violence and arson were reported at several places overnight despite authorities imposing curfew and issuing shoot at sight orders at Rohtak and Bhiwani besides prohibitory orders in Hisar, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal and Panipat.
“Around 20-30 troops were being brought into Rohtak town by choppers”.
People in Rohtak faced inconvenience as essential supplies to the town were disrupted.
The Union Ministers, along with NSA Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineswar Sharma besides others, took stock of the situation in Haryana where curfew has been imposed in several towns after violence broke out.
Protesters have also blocked NH-1 near Nangal village in Sonipat district, affecting movement of traffic, which connects Punjab, HP, Chandigarh and J&K. The roads to Sonipat and Jhajjar also remained blocked while those leading to Hisar, Jind and Bhiwani saw disruption.
“The Khattar government did not show any sign to resolve the matter”.
Later, the Chief Minister announced to enhance the quota of reservation in government jobs and admission in educational institutions for Economically Backward Classes in the State from 10 to 20 per cent.
The move is likely to benefit the Jats, including Sikh Jats and Ror, Tyagi and Bishnoi communities.
Noting that the protesters have been asked to clear the blockades and disperse, he said, “We have warned them first and are hoping they will comply”.
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“I appeal to the Jat protestors to end the blockade”.
