The death toll in the ongoing Jat agitation has gone up to 12 as two persons — one at Hansi and one at Akbarpur-Barota — lost their lives.
The death toll in the ongoing Jat agitation has gone up to 12 as two persons — one at Hansi and one at Akbarpur-Barota — lost their lives.
Haryana additional chief secretary, home, P.K. Das on Sunday said that efforts were being made to disperse the protesters at Akbarpur-Barota so as to release water for Delhi, but all in vain. He said that as they were in huge numbers, not much force was used to avoid casualties. However, the efforts to release water were temporarily postponed, but according to reports reaching here, one person was killed in firing. He also appealed to the protesters to let the administration release water for Delhi as it would not be fair on their part to resort to such tactics. He said that blockades were still on at National Highway-1 and reports of damage caused to some dhabas on this highway have been received. Two sections of railway tracks, including Ambala-Delhi and Delhi-Rohtak, were still closed.
According to Haryana DGP Y.P. Singhal, the situation in the state had improved after enforcement of curfew and flag marches by paramilitary forces and the Army. He said that the situation was so far largely peaceful in Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Kaithal and Jind. No casualties have occurred since Saturday evening, he added. He said that the state government had made it a priority to secure the cities and prevent further incidents of violence. The DGP said that a district-wise plan of action has been formulated to maintain law and order in the state. Under this plan, the paramilitary forces, Army and the state police conducted “night dominance” activities in various cities throughout the night. Apart from conducting flag marches, the security forces dispersed various anti-social elements and patrolled cities across the state.
He said that the forces were trying to identify those indulging in violence and 45 persons had been rounded up. As many as 191 cases have so far been registered, he added.
He said that the Government was confident that positive results would be visible today.
He said that Haryana Police, paramilitary forces, the Army and the civil administration were working together to tackle the situation. He said that the Crisis Management Group of Haryana comprising Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Director General of Police, held meetings with Union Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Force and Director IB through video conference last night and today morning.
The DGP said that the Central Government had provided 49 companies of paramilitary forces, of which 39 companies have reached the State and 24 have already been deployed. Similarly, 69 columns of Army have been provided, which have been deployed in Jhajjar and Rohtak. The Central Government has sent an additional 10 columns, which have reached Delhi and would soon reach the State.
He appealed to the agitators to call off their agitation and clear the roads and railway tracks. He also appealed to the people of the State to maintain law and order and brotherhood. He advised them to avoid sending their children to cities.
