Haryana braces for Jat agitation once more from Jan 29; government seeks 55 companies of paramilitary forces

Chandigarh: Haryana is bracing for a fresh round of quota agitation by Jats from January 29 for which the 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. Jat community outfits, while accusing the Manohar Lal Khattar government of not fulfilling their demands for reservation, have threatened to launch the next round of agitation in 19 districts of the state. The 19 districts where the agitation is planned include Rohtak, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal and Fatehabad. "We have been holding panchayats from the last 11 months in many villages on individual level to achieve the eventual goal of getting Other Backward Class (OBC) status," Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti chief Yashpal Malik said. "The BJP government in Haryana and Centre cheated us last time and assured us by giving fake promises to end our protest. They also targeted youths in fake cases for damaging private and government properties," Malik charged. He said the community is prepared to face any challenge to seek reservation. Jat leaders claim support of people from as many as 250 villages in Haryana and Delhi. In view of the agitation plans, the Haryana government has sent a requisition for 55 companies (about 5500 personnel) of Central paramilitary forces and has also issued call out notice to depute 7,000 Home Guards in the state. "Although the leaders of various agitating organisations have promised to hold dharnas in a peaceful manner, yet the administration is fully geared up to maintain law and order," Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Ram Niwas said here today. He said all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been directed to ensure that highways and railway tracks are not obstructed and no damage is caused to property.