Jat quota row: Haryana CM Khattar says open to talks, calls for peace

Mangalore Today News Network

Chandigarh, Feb 19, 2016: With the Jat community agitation entering the sixth day, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday urged everyone to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

 

Speaking to media after convening an all-party meet here, Khattar urged protesters to open roads which have been blocked due to agitation.

He further tried to assure that the Haryana government wants a permanent solution to the Jat reservation issue and is open to talks

The state government has constituted a committee on the Jat reservation issue which will submit its report by March 31, added the Haryana CM.

Earlier in the day, the state authorities suspended Internet services for an indefinite time in Rohtak district.

Jat community is demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category.

Life remained paralysed in most parts of Rohtak, Jhajjar and some other districts of the state.

Internet services, including 2G and 3G, in the worst affected districts of Rohtak, Sonipat and Jhajjar have been since midnight, officials said here on Friday.

The decision has been taken "to maintain law and order" in the district, he said.

However, he added mobile services will continue in the district.

Normal life has been badly hit because of the ongoing Jat agitation which has spread to more parts of the state after talks between the community leaders and the government failed to break the deadlock.

The protests have disrupted road and rail traffic with the worst hit being the Rohtak-Jhajjar region, the epicentre of the protests, besides Bhiwani, Sonipat and Hisar.

Jat protesters clashed with security forces and security forces in Rohtak town on Thursday evening when the police tried to remove the blockades put up by the protesters.

The protesters attacked with stones and bricks. A police vehicle was also damaged in the clash.

The protesters, who have rejected Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s offer of enhancing quota for economically backward classes, also set up road blockade at many places in Panipat, which also affected movement of vehicles towards Uttar Pradesh.

In view of the blockades by the agitators, Haryana Roadways suspended its bus services on many affected routes.

The administration has imposed prohibitory orders in the entire Rohtak district, banning assembly of five or more persons.