'Irresponsible' people occupying 'responsible' posts: Bhupinder Singh Hooda

JIND: Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said "irresponsible" people were occupying posts of "responsibility" and this resulted in the violence during the Jat agitation for reservation and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.

Hooda, who was here to condole the demise of former minister Brajmohan Singla, blasted Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the findings of the Prakash Singh Committee, set up by the state government to inquire into the riots.

The panel, in its 451-page report on violence during the Jat quota stir, said the "administrative paralysis" had gripped the state and the "highest functionaries in the government failed to show the kind of guidance, direction and control that is expected in a crisis of such proportions".

"The Committee has pointed a finger at the officials of all the major departments of the government. The ministers of these departments cannot run away from owing up their responsibilities," Hooda said.

"The government is using the Prakash Singh Committee report as a shield to take action against the officers but is trying to protect its ministers," he alleged.

The former chief minister added that there were agitations during his tenure also but he managed to curb violence.