Jat quota stir: Rohtak bizmen peg loss at Rs 1K cr, want CBI probe

Traders and shopkeepers compared the arson and violence in Rohtak with partition riots of 1947

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The business community in Rohtak, which faced extensive property damage in arson and violence during the pro-quota Jat stir, today pegged their loss at Rs 1,000 cr in this district alone and sought a CBI probe into the incidents.

Accusing that the Haryana government of having "completely failed" in controlling the violent mob, the traders and shopkeepers compared the arson and violence with partition riots of 1947.

The trading community sought licenses for keeping arms and ammunition to protect their property in future as their "faith in administration has been completely shattered".

"We want a CBI probe into the whole incident. We want to know who were behind the incidents which caused heavy financial losses to us," Ashok Bhambri, president, Rohtak Hotel and Banquet Association said.

Bhambri, whose hotel was ransacked, alleged the security personnel acted just as "mute spectators" when their property was being looted and burnt.

He said most businessmen after partition shifted from areas which now fall in Pakistan and settled in Rohtak.

"It was like a repeat of what we had witnessed during Partition in 1947," said Bhambri.

Traders put the number of damaged shops and commercial establishments at 500 and estimate the loss at Rs 1,000 crore in Rohtak alone.

They alleged the looting and burning of commercial establishments of non-Jats by mob was "preplanned".

"They knew which property belonged to whom and looted and damaged property belonging to non-Jat persons," he said.

"We feel mob deliberately targeted shops and commercial establishments of non-Jat people of Rohtak," said Sudhir Gupta, a shop owner in Rohtak.

Rohtak, the epicentre of the Jat stir, saw massive damage to private property.

Among shops and outlets which were damaged and burnt were McDonald's, Chevrolet showroom on Sonepat road, a mall, a Hyundai showroom at Jind bypass, Toyota showroom and Honda showroom on Hisar road.

Besides, schools and educational institutions of non-Jat community were also damaged.