The Jat agitation in Haryana >claimed one more life on Sunday, taking the death toll to 11, as the State remained on edge even as the government decided to bring a Bill to grant other backward class (OBC) status to Jats.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Home Minister, the National Security Adviser, the Army chief and the Delhi Police Commissioner with Jat leaders.
BJP leader Anil Jain, in-charge of party affairs in Haryana, told reporters that the Jat community would get reservation in jobs, and a Bill would be brought in the next session of the Haryana Assembly.
After the meeting, most Jat leaders appealed for an end to the quota agitation, saying the community’s demands have been met.
All India Jat Sangharsh Samiti, led by Hawa Singh Sangwan, told The Hindu that Jats should trust the government and give it time to implement the decision. “I appeal to everyone to stop the agitation. They [the government] have given us an assurance, so we should wait and see.”
Fresh incidents of violence and arson were reported in the State as the agitation entered the ninth day. Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Jind, Hisar, Hansi, Sonipat and Gohana continue to be under curfew.
A security guard of the State Bank of Patiala branch in Jhajjar was trapped on Saturday night, after a mob surrounded it. Police persuaded the mob to let him go before it torched the building.
( With additional reporting by Ashok Berwal )
