Jat stir: Govt directs officials to ensure that law & order is

As Haryana braces for a fresh round of quota agitation by Jats from January 29, the State Government today directed civil and police administration to ensure that law and order is maintained and to provide security of all major critical points like drinking water supply to Delhi.
In a written communication addressed to all Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police, Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police, they have been directed to closely monitor the situation and take necessary steps immediately, an official spokesman said here.
"They have been directed to ensure the security of all major critical points like drinking water supply to Delhi in Karnal and Sonipat. Also, traffic movement on the G.T. Road and roadways depots should also be secured," the spokesman said.

He said that all departments should also secure their own installations and services with the assistance of their own staff and the police wherever required.
He said Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police have been directed to undertake people contact programme in the wake of the call for agitation.
The spokesman said that district administration has been directed to be prepared to deal with the situation and must ensure that law and order is maintained.

The Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have been asked to send situation report relating to their divisions or districts to Chief Secretary's office in the prescribed proforma daily by 2 p.M. The report could also be sent to Secretariat Control Room, he added.

Notably, the Manohar Lal Khattar government has sought 55 companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre besides deployment of 7,000 Home Guards in the state which saw 30 deaths and widespread destruction of property during a similar stir one year back.
Last year's agitation had largely affected Delhi as the protesters cut water supply to the national capital and caused massive damage to public property in Haryana, with Rohtak, Sonipat and Jhajjar being among the worst-hit districts.
Malik said February 26 will be observed as "Black Day" by
Jats, who would wear black turbans, ties, ribbons or arm bands that day to protest against the government's policies.

The community members have also been urged "to stop paying their power and water bills till their demands are met".
From March 1, the protesters will not cooperate with the government, Malik said adding "no one will pay power, water bills and instalment of loans that they owe to the government."
The AIJASS leader added that Jats from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will protest in the national capital on March 2 and submit a memorandum on the issue to the President.
They also plan to gherao Parliament, the date for which is to be announced on March 2.
The AIJASS has also appealed to the community members to stop supplying milk to Delhi, the date for which would be fixed later.

Amid the ongoing stir across Haryana, he said "we are committed to maintain peace at all costs."
Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category, the demands of the Jats include the release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the stir and government jobs for the kin of those killed or injured in the stir.
There is also a demand for action against BJP MP from Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini for his alleged anti-Jat rants.
Haryana's key opposition party INLD has openly come out in support of the agitating Jats this time and asked the government to meet their demands.

In view of the fresh Jat stir, paramilitary forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, while the state police is maintaining a strict vigil.
Haryana police is also keeping a vigil near statues of various state icons in sensitive districts to thwart any act of vandalism.
As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year's stir. Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, were the worst hit by the violence last year.
The state had last year enacted a law for providing reservation to Jats in consultation with all stakeholders, but the same had been stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Once the stay on the law is vacated, the state government would request the Centre to include the law granting quota to Jats and others in the 9th Schedule, a government official said.