This story is from May 29, 2016

Jats won't back down, govt deploys CRPF

The Haryana government started deploying paramilitary forces in Hisar on Saturday, fearing a backlash to the registration of sedition charges against several Jat leaders in connection with the violence that eruped during protests by the community for reservation in February this year.
Jats won't back down, govt deploys CRPF
Jat protesters (PTI photo)
Chandigarh: The Haryana government started deploying paramilitary forces in Hisar on Saturday, fearing a backlash to the registration of sedition charges against several Jat leaders in connection with the violence that eruped during protests by the community for reservation in February this year.
In the first phase, a company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was stationed at Jat Dharamshala, Hisar, the epicentre of the violent clashes.
The deployment of security personnel comes close on the heels of the community announcing it would relaunch the stir for reservation from June 5. Sources confirmed to TOI that the decision to deploy CRPF at Hisar was taken because it had been a central point for the stir in February and senior community leader Yashpal Malik had a strong influence in the area.
Hisar range inspector general of police (IG) O P Singh also held a special meeting on Saturday with intelligence and other senior police officials of his area. Meanwhile, reacting aggressively to the slapping of sedition charge against Jat leaders by the Haryana government, All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti has called an emergency meeting on Sunday to plan their future course of action.
Unmoved by the FIRs registered against Samiti's president Yashpal Malik and several other community leaders, the organization clarified that the decision to relaunch the agitation on June 5 would not be withdrawn at any cost.
Talking to TOI, Malik said through the FIRs, Haryana government was misusing its police to suppress their right to freedom of speech and expression by holding peaceful protests for their demands and rights.
About the possibility of a reaction to the registration of FIRs, Malik said, "If atrocities are committed on any cast or community, reaction from the members of that community is natural and no one can stop it".
"Besides, discussing the situation that has arisen following registration of fresh FIRs, a detail plan would also be prepared to launch a peaceful protest from June 5. A memorandum would also be submitted to Union home minister Rajnath Singhm apprising him about the present situation in Haryana," said Rohtash Hooda, general secretary and spokesperson of the organization.
He added that leaders of Jat community from 13 states, including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, would be participating in Sunday's meeting.
On Friday, Jind police booked Malik under sections 124-A (sedition), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) and section 153-B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) of the IPC for giving provoking a speech in Jind town. The FIR was lodged in connection with a meeting of state executive of the Jat body at Jind on May 25. Other Jat leaders named in the FIR include: Ishwar Singh, Kirshan Kirmara, Kirshan Sheokand, R S Sherawat, and Hans Raj, apart from over 100 unknown community members.
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About the Author
Ajay Sura

Ajay Sura is Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India Chandigarh. He covers news concerning the State of Haryana, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Defence & Military Affairs. He likes to analyse political developments and decoding judicial pronouncements. His hobbies include travelling, mountaineering and trekking.

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