Jat quota row: Haryana govt orders schools, colleges to remain closed till Feb 22

Chandigarh: Haryana government on Saturday declared holidays in schools and colleges of the state due ongoing violent Jat protests.

As per CNN IBN report, the state government today ordered all schools and colleges in Gurgaon, Sirsa and other adjoining areas to remain closed on Saturday due to the ongoing protest by the Jat community for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. Mobile internet services were also suspended in almost all the districts.

On Friday, the agitators, who are seeking reservation under Economically Backward Classes targeted police and private vehicles, buildings housing offices, including two Toll Plazas at Hansi in Hissar district and near Rohtak, both located on the Delhi-Hisar-Fazilka National Highway.

One protestor was killed in Rohtak when the BSF personnel opened fire in self-defence after someone from the rampaging mob fired at and injured a BSF jawan, Haryana DGP Yashpal Singhal told a press conference in Chandigarh.

"There is only one death while three are critically injured," said Rohtak Deputy Commissioner D K Behera dismissing media reports that two more people have died in the BSF firing.

Vice-Chancellor of Rohtak-based Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, O P Kalra also said there was only one death.

"Death of more persons is just a rumour. There was only one death and he was brought dead in our emergency," he said, adding a total of 62 patients were admitted to PGIMS hospital for treatment.

"Out of them 22 had bullet injuries while rest of had physical injuries," he said.

"Out of total patients, three were still critical who are in ICU. Of them, one patient has injury in head while two have abdominal bullet injuries," he further said.

The agitation, which has been going on for last few days, escalated and turned violent soon after an all-party meeting held by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar issued an appeal for calling it off.

The protesters rejected the appeal even as Khattar gave an assurance that a solution will be worked out to extend reservation to the community.

(With agency inputs)