Jat stir: Protesters take to arson in Haryana

Haryana Minister Anil Vij reiterates talks cannot be held with a 'mob'

Fresh incidents of violence were today reported in Haryana with Jat protesters in Bhiwani and Sonipat districts setting afire two police chowkis, shops and an ATM even as authorities mounted aerial surveillance in the worst-hit areas and the Army staged flag marches.

The Jat stir also hit Delhi with the Arvind Kejriwal government announcing closure of schools tomorrow as part of water rationing after supply from Haryana was hit.

As violent protests by Jats demanding quota continued, Haryana Minister Anil Vij made it clear that talks cannot be held with a "mob" and said Jats should form a committee to hold parleys with the state government.

Violence was reported in Gohana in Sonipat district, where a mob set on fire several shops, two buses and two motorcycles.

In Bhiwani district, protesters late last night set on fire an ATM of a bank and burnt official records of a cooperative bank in Loharu.

Violence in Hansi last night prompted authorities to impose night curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM.

Police chowkis in Mundal and Kharak in rural areas of Bhiwani were also set on fire. A bus was also set on fire at Tosham in Bhiwani.

Police arrested 50 people in connection with the incidents of violence and arson. So far six persons have been killed in firing by security personnel "to quell arson and firing" by the protesters while 154 FIRs have been registered.

Road and rail traffic through Haryana and destined to neighbouring states, including Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Chandigarh remained disrupted with authorities cancelling services on most routes in the wake of continuing blockade.

While the Jat stir has severely hit the movement of more than 1000 trains, air fares from Chandigarh and Amritsar, both cut off from the national capital by road and rail, have skyrocketed.

The fare for Chandigarh-Delhi, which normally varies between Rs 3000 to Rs 4000, was being quoted between Rs 20,000-Rs 60,000 by various airlines for direct and one-stop flights via other cities.

As violence and arson spread to several parts of Haryana state, the Centre sent additional 1,700 paramilitary personnel to Haryana, taking the total number of central armed police deployed in the trouble state to 5,000.

The NCMC, headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, too assured Haryana government that there would be no delay in sending assistance, including central forces.
In Chandigarh, Chief Minister Manohar Khattar along with

some of his senior Ministers and top officials is closely monitoring the situation, official sources said.

State's DGP and Home Secretary were also regularly in touch with the Centre on the prevailing situation.

The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has suspended operations at its two plants in Gurgaon and Manesar as component supplies have been hit by the agitation.

Appealing to protesters to end their stir, Khattar had yesterday asked agitators to "return to their homes as the Government has accepted their demands".

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala have also appealed to the protesters not to indulge in violence and raise their demand through peaceful means.

Congress MP from Rohtak Deepinder Singh Hooda, whose parliamentary constituency has been worst-hit by violence, has appealed the youths to form "peace committees" and not indulge in acts of violence and help maintain peace and brotherhood.

However, several Jat leaders have refused to call off the pro-quota agitation unless the government promulgated an ordinance to include the community in the OBC category.