Jat stir: Haryana burns as violence continues, death toll rises to six; CM Khattar 'accepts' protesters' demand

Chandigarh: Violent protests carried out by the Jat community in Haryana intensified on Saturday, even as Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatter accepted the demands of the agitators and appealed to maintain calm.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured as Army columns opened fired at violent protesters in Rohtak, Jhajjar and Kaithal districts.

The death toll has now risen to six. 

Five persons were killed "when armed forces opened fire to quell arson and firing" by the protesters, an official release said today.

The fifth casualty took place at Kaithal, while four other persons died in Jhajjar and Rohtak earlier in the day.

Besides, 15 people, including security personnel, were injured in Rohtak and Jhajjar today, the release said.

A Haryana Dairy Corporation's milk plant was set on fire by the protesters in Rohtak. The residents were asked to move out due to a possible gas leak from the plant, an official spokesman said.

The Haryana government sought additional companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and more columns of Army to be deployed in Haryana by tomorrow morning to control the agitation in the state.

The requisition for additional force was made by Crisis Management Group of Haryana comprising Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), and Director General of Police, who held a meeting with Union Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Force and Director IB through video conference from here.

The release quoting an official spokesman said that 154 FIRs have been registered and persons are being identified, and stern action will be taken against them.

He said the army and police personnel have been deployed in adequate number in Rohtak to control the situation.

As many as 15 companies of India Reserve Battalion and Haryana Armed Police, three companies of paramilitary forces and two columns of Army have already been deployed.

He said the central government is providing a chopper to Haryana for monitoring the measures to control the agitation and also spray tear gas to disperse mob specially at blockades.

Bhiwani remained peaceful whereas in Hissar, two persons were injured in a village near Hansi as a result of a clash between two groups (non-Jats and protesters). Both are now out of danger, he said.

"Two persons were brought dead in PGIMS here today, while another patient, who was critically injured, was operated upon but succumbed to his injuries," hospital authorities in Rohtak said.

"Another patient was brought dead at Jhajjar civil hospital with bullet injury in his head," Jhajjar civil hospital official said.

Among the five deceased, three have been identified as Parveen (Jhajjar), Krishan (Jhajjar) and Nitin (Rohtak).

"Three patients, who are undergoing treatment, are very critical," PGIMS authorities said.

Appealing to protesters to end their stir, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a statement here this afternoon asked agitators to "return to their homes as the Government has accepted their demands", but did not elaborate.

The Jat stir had yesterday claimed life of one unidentified person killed in a BSF firing in Rohtak after agitation turned violent.

A group of people belonging to Saini community pelted stones at some shops near Jat Dharamshala Hansi and set a wine shop on fire, police added.

(With PTI inputs)