Jat stir takes economic toll

The Jat agitation in Haryana has dealt an estimated blow of Rs 18,000-20,000 crore by way of loss to public and private property and halting trade, industry, small business and transport, says the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham). Several industries had come up recently on the Delhi-Rohtak highway.

"A huge loss of confidence among investors to set up industries in this area would happen, making it imperative for the state administration not to lose further time in reining in the anti-social elements who are taking advantage of the reservation agitation," says a report from the business chamber.

With a population of about 30 million, Haryana has so far been considered a progressive state for industrialisation, with a gross domestic product of about Rs 450,000 crore. It boasts of global business hubs like Gurgaon which houses top multi-national companies, with back-office operations in information technology and IT-enabled services, and automobile giants like Maruti Suzuki.

Incidentally, Maruti has stopped production at its Gurgaon and Manesar factories. Collateral damage has been done to businesses and industries in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, besides huge harassment to common citizens. A lot of damage, for instance, would be done to textile exporters with facilities in Panipat, which had made a name for itself for handlooms and carpets.

The state's director general of police said the situation had improved after enforcement of curfew and flag marches by paramilitary forces and the army. He said the situation was so far largely peaceful in Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Kaithal and Jind. No casualties had occurred since Saturday evening, he added. He said about 10 people had been killed and 150 injured during the agitation till date.

A district-wise plan had been formulated, with security forces to conduct 'night dominance' activities in various cities. Apart from flag marches, they've got busy in arrests (45 so far) and preventive detentions. As many as 191 cases had been registered.

The government had made it a priority to stop further violence and to lift the blockades of highways. The DGP said the central Government had provided 49 companies of paramilitary forces, of which 39 had reached the state and 24 deployed.

The army has given 69 columns of personnel, deployed in Jhajjar and Rohtak districts. Another 10 columns are on way. Additional chief secretary, home, P K Das, said law and order had improved since Friday night in Rohtak, Gohana and Jind. The aviation ministry has asked all airlines for additional flights between Delhi to Chandigarh and Amritsar.