Reservation row: Jat stir may singe Delhi too as Haryana remains on boil
Chandigarh/New Delhi: Union minister Birender Singh said Congress announced reservation for Jats without due diligence due to “political reasons”, following which the Supreme Court quashed the decision.
As Haryana remained on the boil, several Haryana Roadways buses, seven railway stations, a police station and some buildings were torched by pro-quota protesters.
The movement of more than 800 trains has been severely hit. The Army had to use helicopters to reach parts of blocked Rohtak district.
Curfew was clamped in five more Haryana towns — the latest being Jind, Hisar and Hansi in the evening. Earlier on Saturday, curfew was imposed in Sonipat and Gohana towns of Sonipat district. Curfew had already been clamped in Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar towns.
The country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, suspended operations at its two plants in Gurgaon and Manesar as component supplies have been hit by the agitation of Jats demanding job reservation.
Around 200 paramilitary personnel were airlifted to Rohtak on Saturday.
Stepping in to prevent a major spillover of the agitation to surrounding states, the Centre has also asked the Haryana government to provide security to people and property by ensuring that law and order is kept under control.
This was conveyed by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha to Haryana chief secretary D.S. Dhesi and DGP Yashpal Singhal at a meeting held through video-conference. Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officers were also present.
The security personnel were dispatched from Delhi’s Safdarjung airfield in batches as the trouble-torn district was cut off by road and rail network due to protests.
The Centre had on Friday rushed in 3,300 paramilitary personnel and assured chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar of all possible help to maintain law and order as the stir turned violent.
Home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called up Mr Khattar, who briefed him about the prevailing situation. Mr Singh also appealed to the people to maintain peace and order and stressed on the need for discussion and dialogue.
Meanwhile, Delhi is staring at huge water shortage in next one or two days with 60 per cent of water supply affected due to the Jat stir in neighbouring Haryana, prompting the city government to rationalise water supply and approach the Supreme Court for help.
