Khattar briefs BJP leaders on Jat stir; community leaders fail to meet him

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday discussed with senior BJP workers and certain ministers the situation in the state in the wake of resumed Jat stir in support of the community's demands and grievances.

Khattar's Media Adviser Amit Arya told the media here that a few Jat leaders arrived in Gurugram to meet the Chief Minister owing to some confusion but left without doing so after learning that the meeting was meant only for senior BJP leaders and party workers.

Arya said the Jat leaders, before leaving, submitted a charter of demands for forwarding to the Chief Minister.

After the meeting held at Swatantrata Senani Zila Parishad Bhawan here, Agriculture Minister O.P. Dhankar told reporters that the BJP government is open for talks with protesting Jat leaders and they should put forth their demands.

At the meeting, ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party workers hailing from 'sensitive' districts of Jhajjar, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi-Dadri, Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Kaithal, Sonipat and Panipat were briefed.

Dhankar said it was the BJP which gave reservation to the Jats in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana.

He also criticised to Congress saying that it hurriedly gave reservation to jats in which due procedure was not followed.A Also, congress did not refer it to the National Commission for Backward Classes.

Dhankar also delved into the government's efforts in ensuring reservation to the Jats as per their demands as well as in the ongoing legal battle on the issue.

The minister said the Haryana government had no objection in providing financial help and government jobs to family member of persons who lost lives during the earlier Jat stir in February last year.

As for the demand of withdrawal of cases filed during last year's agitation, Dhankar said about 1,500 cases had been withdrawn whereas 622 cases were pending.

Khattar said a few political parties wanted to disturbed peace in the state on the pretext of Jat agitation for reservation.

The Jats resumed their agitation on January 29, which so far has been peaceful. However, intelligence reports leaked a few days ago allegedly indicated violence may erupt again.

In the large-scale violence in 10 districts of Haryana in February last year during the Jat agitation for reservation, 30 people were killed and over 200 others injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores of rupees was also damaged/destroyed.

--IANS

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