Army recaptures Delhi water source, caste protests continue

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Normal supply of water to Delhi from Haryana, disrupted due to the Jat stir, is likely be restored today with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar saying security forces have taken control of Munak Canal after evicting Jat protesters.

Describing the situation in Haryana as "okay", Parrikar said the point from where the water is being diverted to Delhi is being properly guarded by the army and other security personnel.

"The situation is okay now. As per my information, the place from where the water is diverted is being properly guarded and the army is helping the local administration," he told reporters here.

The Centre had last night asked the army to help the local administration in clearing national highways running through Haryana and getting essential services restored.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at the residence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Manohar Parrikar and M Venkaiah Naidu and NSA Ajit Doval had attended the meeting.

Two columns of the army comprising around 150 personnel, besides CRPF and Haryana Police contingents took control of the canal at around 4 AM today, official sources said.

All protesters who were squatting at the site, were evicted, they said.

Haryana's Irrigation Department officials are at the spot and are carrying out repairs in Minak canal.

Normal water supply should be restored during the day, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has called a state Cabinet meeting in the afternoon to take stock of the situation in the wake of the Jat agitation.

Delhi has been facing a water crisis following cut in its supply from Haryana due to the stir, prompting the city government to order closure of all schools today and rationing of water.

Haryana DGP Yashpal Singhal had said yesterday that their first priority was to restore Delhi's water supply from Akbarpur Barota point in Sonipat.

Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) P K Das had told reporters yesterday that they were facing difficulty in evicting protesters from Munak Canal and had temporarily suspended the effort to evict them as the situation could turn volatile.

However, after BJP announced seting up of a committee to examine the quota demand of the community yesterday, fresh attempts were made to persuade the protesters to vacate the canal area.