Victims of violence in Haryana want army to stay longer

The residents of violence-hit Jhajjar district in Haryana on Saturday told a visiting central minister that the armed forces deployed in their area should continue to provide them security for several weeks more.

The people told the minister of state for defence Rao Inderjeet Singh that they still feared for their security and had little trust left in the local police and civil administration after the trail of violence left by the Jat community's agitation for reservations.

The police and civil administration remained inactive during the nine days of violent Jat agitation despite several complaints and messages for help, they said.

Rao Inderjeet Singh on Saturday visited various areas of Jhajjar, some 45 km from here, to enquire after the well being of people living there.

He said he would discuss the issue with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The minister paid condolences to families of three Saini youths, belonging to non-Jat community, who were killed during the violence.

He also went to Silani Chowk, where the statue of one freedom fighter and Rao Inderjeet's ancestor Rao Tula Ram was demolished by miscreants' during the Jat agitation.

Rao Inderjeet Singh addressed a gathering of people and appealed to them to maintain peace and harmony.