Haryana: Jat stir spreads, rail, road traffic hit

Normal life was badly hit as the ongoing Jat agitation for quotas on Thursday spread to more parts of Haryana after talks between community leaders and the government failed to break the deadlock, even as prohibitory orders were clamped in Rohtak, banning an assembly of five or more persons.

The agitation spread to Kaithal, Karnal, Jind and other districts, disrupting road and rail traffic as protestors blocked various highways and railway lines. While college and university students had on Wednesday joined the protest at Rohtak, on Thursday students from various places, including Hisar, Kurukshetra and Kaithal also joined them. Jats are demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the OBC category.

While rail and road traffic has been worst hit in the Rohtak-Jhajjar region, the epicentre of the protests, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Hisar have also been adversely hit by the agitation.

The protesters, who last evening rejected Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s offer to enhance quota for economically backward classes to include Jats, also blocked roads in many places in Panipat which also affected movement of vehicles towards UP. Due to the blockades set up by the agitators, Haryana Roadways suspended its bus services on many affected routes.

The Rohtak administration on Thursday imposed prohibitory orders in the entire district banning an assembly of five or more persons.

Rohtak is the native place of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Parliamentary constituency represented by his son Deepinder.

“Section 144 has been imposed with immediate effect from today in Rohtak,” additional deputy commissioner Amit Khatri said.

Noting that the protesters have been asked to clear the blockades and disperse, he said, “We have warned them first and are hoping they will comply.”

The orders were passed by Rohtak’s deputy commissioner D.K. Behera amid reports that anti-social elements might join protesters to disturb law and order situation in the district.

Mr Khatri said paramilitary forces have been put on standby in the district.