Jat quota stir: Haryana govt announces compensation but violence continues, death toll at 19

Chandigarh: Haryana government on Monday announced full compensation for damage caused to private properties as well as ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the 19 killed in the Jat agitation for reservation.

The state government has decided to give full compensation to the loss of properties, both commercial and residential, in the Jat stir, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said here.

An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the next of kin of the persons killed in the ongoing agitation and employment to a member of the family of the deceased. Also, no false cases would be registered against anyone, he said.

The decisions to this effect were taken in a meeting of the state cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

It was decided that a senior IAS officer shall be deputed as a nodal officer to assess the damage caused to private properties in both urban and rural areas, it said.

A proforma to file claims for compensation for damage to the property would be made available online and in the office of the Deputy Commissioner. After assessment of the same, compensation would be released within a month, it said.

The release stated 19 persons have so far lost their lives in the agitation and 183 were injured. Also, 320 cases have been registered and 102 persons have been arrested.

Sharma said that the government has also decided to assess the role of all officers, both civil and police administration, for any act of omission and commission during the agitation.

The Cabinet reviewed the prevailing situation and the steps to defuse the tension across the state at the earliest. It also appealed to the people to maintain peace and amity, an official release said.

The release said while blockades at several places have been lifted, efforts are on to remove the remaining 449 blockades on rails and roads.

The Haryana Roadways has suffered a loss of Rs 15 crore as 33 buses have been set on fire and 99 others damaged, the release said.

As the Indus company, which operates towers of telecommunication in the state, is facing shortage of diesel, the mobile phone service can be affected in the state, the release said.

Out of 2,370 petrol pumps in the state, 381 have become dry. And out of 387 LPG agencies, 185 are without their stock, the release said adding the state government is trying to ensure their supply through Punjab.

Out of 26 petrol pumps damaged in the agitation, eight are in Rohtak, five in Bhiwani and six in Jhajjar. However, there is no shortage of kerosene in the state, the release added.