'Casualties' in Sonipat as mob clashes with security forces

CHANDIGARH: A stone-pelting mob today attacked personnel of army and paramilitary forces who were trying to clear the road blockade in Sonipat, leading to a clash in which there were some "casualties".

"Yes, there are casualties, may be one or three, but I can't give any exact figure immediately," Sonipat Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Rattan told PTI over phone.

He said the personnel of Army, paramilitary forces and the police who were trying to clear the road blockade were attacked by the mob which pelted stones on them and used lathis and other things, leaving many of the security forces also injured in the process.

The mob went berserk setting on fire government vehicles, indulging in vandalism and attacking the security forces, the DC said.

There was tension in the entire area, but efforts were being made to bring the situation under control, he said.

The latest incident came within hours after two columns of the Army comprising around 150 personnel, besides CRPF and Haryana Police contingents took control of the Munak canal at around 4 AM today from protesters had cut off the water supply to Delhi, from Akbarpur-Barota in Sonipat.

Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Hisar have been the worst-hit districts of the ongoing Jat stir.

The protesters continued to block some roads including the arterial Delhi-Ambala highway, demanding a written assurance that the community will be given reservation in the state.