Jat quota: Wary govt gets more paramilitary forces

CHANDIGARH: Stung by criticism for mishandling riots and caste violence during the Jat stir in February, Haryana police and civil administration formed a strategy to deal with the law and order situation for an anticipated Jat stir II, which is expected to start in June.
Following the stay on reservation for Jats and five other communities on orders of Punjab and Haryana High Court last week, Jats have threatened to launch a stir from June 6.
Even as some of the Jat khap panchayats resolved to wait and watch, Haryana police, anticipating a law and order problem, made additional deployment. Besides, the Sonipat deputy commissioner issued prohibitory orders across district.
Haryana got 10 companies of paramilitary forces by Sunday evening. The district magistrate has been directed to notify places for rallies and agitations. According to the home department, agitators will be liable for action if they decide or hold agitations at places other than those designated by the administration.
"Accompanied by the DGP, I have visited affected districts and interacted with policemen as well as a cross section of society. We are every clear that anybody staging an agitation at places other than the ones identified by the local administration shall invite action. This comes with the implementation of the K T Thomas Committee report wherein we shall effect recovery of all kinds of damages from organizers and those involved in cases,'' Haryana home secretary Ram Niwas said.
During the agitation in February, rail and road traffic came to a total standstill for over one week. The districts where additional deployments have been made include Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar and Hisar. According to the home department, 10 companies of CRPF and Rapid Action Force have been deployed in four districts.
This comes along with additional deployment of three companies of paramilitary forces on the side of the Western Jamuna Canal (WJC) in Sonipat. In February, Jat agitators damaged the WJC and paramilitary forces were forced to open fire, claiming lives. The agitation also led to adverse effect on water supply to New Delhi.
With the epicentre at Rohtak, the violence between February 17 and 22 claimed 30 lives. More than 300 were injured. Jhajjar had the maximum of 12 casualties, followed by Sonipat.
"We have invoked prohibitory orders, barring assembly of persons and carrying weapons, among others. As for the rest, we are assessing the situation for requisition of more forces in future,'' Sonipat district magistrate K M Panduranga said.
Jhajjar SSP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa confirmed additional measures saying, "As of now, we have sufficient forces and all the required measures have been put in place to deal with any situation".
Jhajjar was the first place in which caste violence erupted. Later, it spread to Safidon and Hansi.