New Delhi:
The Haryana government has made special security arrangements in order to avoid repeat of violence that seared the state in February, leaving at least 30 people dead and around 170 injured. A canal which is a major source of water for Delhi will be protected as the Jat community members will hold sit-in demonstrations across Haryana on June 5, Sunday to press for reservation.
As a precautionary measure, gathering of large groups has been banned by four of Haryana’s districts. On Tuersday, security forces staged flag-march in many districts, including Rohtak, as Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said law and order would be maintained at any cost. Central forces, along with the Haryana police, conducted the flag marches.
In February, the violence lasted for nearly a week and spread till Gurgaon. Protesters set shops, vehicles and malls on fire, bringing normal life to a standstill. The agitators took over the Munak canal for three days, which left Delhi without water till the army took control.
In Rohtak district, which was the epicentre of the Jat stir in February, police and Rapid Action Force personnel took out the flag marches. The police appealed to the public to help maintain law and order. Security forces set up check points at several places at Rohtak’s entry and exit points.
Border Security Force personnel have been deployed on the outskirts of the town. Khattar said that any kind of undesirable act, which threatens peace, would not be tolerated during the demonstration announced by members of the Jat community on June 5.
He said there was no objection to holding a peaceful demonstration. However, those who disturb law and order, would be dealt with strictly as per law, he said.He said the government has made all arrangements to thwart any untoward incident. In addition to their reservation demand, the leaders of the Jat community have called for cancellation of FIRs registered against some of its members during the stir in February this year.
(With inputs from PTI)
