Rohtak: Haryana government on Friday sought Army assistance to quell the Jat quota agitation in at least eight districts even as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance today that a solution will be worked out to extend reservation to the community.
The state government sought Army's assistance after the agitation by Jat protestors turned violent today evening.
Haryana DGP YP Singhal told the media here that the Army has been called in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonipat, Bhiwani and Hisar districts.
"Yes we have talked to the Army Chief and Defence Minister about the requirement of Army personnel," he said.
He further said that a leader-less mob of the Jat community was moving in Rohtak town and resorting to violence.
He also said that someone from the protestors fired at Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Rohtak town, as per IANS.
"The mob is not letting injured BSF jawan taken to hospital," Singhal was quoted as saying by ANI.
The development comes shortly after one person was killed and 21 others were injured when a protest by Jats for quota turned violent here, prompting the security personnel to open fire on the rampaging mobs who attacked the house of state's Finance Minister besides indulging in arson.
Jat leaders today rejected an appeal by political parties in Haryana to call off their quota protest even as
The appeal to the Jat leaders was made by the parties at a meeting convened by Khattar to discuss the demands of the community and find a way out to end the impasse.
However, the agitators refused to withdraw their protest till a legislation is passed giving quota to the community under OBC category and accused Khattar of having "casteist mentality" saying he did not belong to the community.
Meanwhile, mobile Internet and SMS services were suspended indefinitely by the authorities in violence-hit Rohtak in the wake of the agitation spreading in the district.
Trains on the Delhi-Ambala and Hisar-Dhuri routes were hit as the protesters squatted on railway tracks as part of their plan to intensify the stir.
The protesters, who last evening rejected Khattar's offer to enhance quota for economically backward classes to include Jats, blocked roads in many places in Panipat which also affected movement of vehicles towards Uttar Pradesh.
Due to the blockades set up by the agitators, Haryana Roadways suspended its bus services on many affected routes.
The Rohtak administration imposed prohibitory orders in the entire district banning assembly of five or more persons.
Rohtak is the native place of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the parliamentary constituency represented by his son,Deepinder.
"Section 144 has been imposed with immediate effect from today in Rohtak," Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri said.
Noting that the protesters have been asked to clear the blockades and disperse, he said, "We have warned them first and are hoping they will comply."
(With agency inputs)
