Jat stir: Haryana govt forms committee to consider demands

With the ongoing Jat stir entering its tenth day and the community adamant on its demands, the Haryana government today constituted a five-member committee headed by Chief Secretary D S Dhesi to resolve the problems of those agitating for reservation and other issues in the state.
"Any organization, section of the society or an individual could submit their viewpoint and suggestions to the committee in writing or orally. The committee will try its best to resolve their issues under the ambit of the Constitution and different decisions and directions given by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard," an official spokesman said here.

He said that the state government is in favour of resolving the problems of the people under the provisions of the Constitution.
Four other members of the Committee are Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ram Niwas, Principal Secretary, Industries, Devender Singh, Secretary, General Administration, Vijayendra Kumar and Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Mohammad Akil.
Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing Jat reservation agitation, the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) Tohana, today directed the Executive Officer, Municipal Council to hold a meeting with all JCB machine (a large machine used for digging and other purposes) operators and warn them that in case their JCBs are used to uproot trees or dig roads, they would invite stern action and their vehicles would be impounded.

During last year's stir, the protesters had used trees and tree branches to block several roads.

The SDM, who was presiding over a meeting with officers in Tohana, also directed them to ensure proper coordination and remain alert to deal with any eventuality.
While reviewing the activities of Transport Department, he directed the officers not to allow night halt of buses in villages till the agitation continues.
During the fresh round of Jat agitation, the protesters have been sitting on 'dharnas' at various places in the state.
Amid elaborate security arrangements, the Jats held sit-ins at several areas in the state, which remained peaceful, officials said.

The call for the fresh stir has been given by some Jat outfits, especially those owing allegiance to All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti headed by Yashpal Malik.
At some places, the Khap panchayats or caste councils are also backing the dharnas.
Haryana's main Opposition party INLD has openly come out in support of the agitating Jats and asked the government to meet their demands.