Quota agitation: Jat leaders begin talks with Haryana govt

Chandigarh: Crucial talks between Haryana government and Jat leaders on the issue of quota demand commenced Thursday afternoon.

The Jat delegation is meeting with Chief Secretary and Haryana DGP at Haryana Niwas in Chandigarh.

The Jat leaders have said that they would not resume their agitation till then.

Various Jat organisations had on Monday threatened to resume their quota agitation, which rocked the state last month and claimed 30 lives, if the Manohar Lal Khattar government does not meet their demand by today.

Meanwhile, bracing for the stir, the state government has deployed paramilitary forces and police in sensitive districts and they carried out Flag Marches in various places on Wednesday to instill confidence among people in the state which witnessed widespread violence during the first phase of the agitation last month that left 30 people dead and caused extensive loss.

The Centre has sent 80 companies (about 800 personnel) of paramilitary forces to the state which are being deployed in sensitive areas like Rohtak and Jhajjar districts, which were the worst-affected during the first phase of the agitation last month.

On the other hand, Haryana government said on Wednesday that a bill to give reservation to the community will be passed during the ongoing Budget session which ends on March 31.

Finance Minister Abhimanya said that it was taking time to draft the bill as the government wants to make it sure that the new law does not get entangled in a legal quagmire.

"We are sure that during this session, this Bill will be passed," he had told reporters, as per PTI.

"The Bill (to give reservation to Jats) is being drafted and we are making efforts to bring and pass such a Bill in the assembly which is in the interest of Haryana people and it does not get entangled in legal quagmire... This is why it is taking time (for introducing Bill in assembly)," he had added.

He had also said that Jat organisations should give their suggestions to draft this for their benefit instead of giving any ultimatum on resuming agitation.

Previous Congress-led Haryana government had also brought bill for giving reservation to Jats and four other castes which was stayed by Punjab and Haryana High Court.

(With PTI inputs)