Fresh phase of Jat quota stir continues; no untoward incident

JIND: The fresh phase of the Jat quota agitation continued in various parts of Haryana for the ninth consecutive day today.

The state remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported, officials said.

Activists of All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti have been staging dharnas at various places, mostly in Rohtak, Sonepat, Jind and Hisar districts, in support of their demands.

Some khaps of Jind district have also supported the demands of the Samiti.

Those khaps which have extended support to the fresh phase of Jat stir include Kandela khap.

Some Jat activists also started relay fast today to press for their demands.

Three months after their violent agitation left 30 people dead, Jat leaders owing allegiance to AIJASS, have been holding dharnas at various places, amid tight security by the BJP government which had drawn severe flak over its handling of the protest last time.

The protesters are demanding quota under the OBC category, withdrawal of cases registered against community members during the previous stir in February, status of martyr for those killed and jobs for their next of kin, besides compensation to the injured.

After the agitation, which had paralysed normal life in Haryana and affected Delhi and other neighbouring states too, the state government recently brought in laws to provide reservation for Jats and five other communities under a newly carved Backward Classes (C) category.

However, the high court stayed it, acting on a public interest litigation, after which some Jat groups announced the fresh stir.

A special round-the-clock control room has been set up in Chandigarh to monitor the situation.