We have seven issues: Jat leader Yashpal Malik on quota agitation

Hoping to build a consensus between the Jat community and the government, the All-India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) leader Yashpal Malik on Sunday said they had seven issues which could only be resolved through a dialogue.

"We have discussed so many things, and few things are left to be discussed. We have come here for the meeting. We hope that they will support our demands. We have seven issues which can be resolved through dialogue. Hope to build a common consensus," Malik said..

"If all the settlements are made today, I will share with you our further plans," he added.

In a bid to pacify the agitating Jat community, who is set to hold protests across the state demanding reservations in government jobs, colleges and schools, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, earlier in the day, urged the protestors to meet him and other state ministers at the Haryana Bhawan here.

"On March 16, a meeting took place between the (jat) agitators and the government officials, during that some confusion emerged. The government is serious about the agitators' concern. It is our foremost duty to uphold peace and fraternity in the state. We are committed to resolve this issue," Khattar said.

"Hence, I, along with other ministers, urge the agitating people to come to the Haryana Bhawan at 12 p.m. today and talk to us. I and (Minister of State for Law and Justice) P. P. Choudhary along with other ministers will be waiting. We all believe in 'Haryana eik and Haryanvi eik' and uphold the welfare of the state," he added.

Meanwhile, a total of 124 paramilitary companies have been deployed for the agitation in Haryana tomorrow.

The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory to the people in view of the agitation. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will also suspend its train services to and from all stations outside Delhi from 11.30 p.m. on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the Jat protesters announced that they will begin their stir in Delhi on March 20.

They gave a call for the march to besiege Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border, blocking all highways, to press for their demands for reservation.

Apart from reservation, the Jats have also been demanding jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against officers who ordered action against the Jats.