The Haryana government will hold a fresh round of talks on Monday with the leaders of protesting Jats who are demanding quota in jobs and educational institutions.
In spite of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar saying that their demands will be fulfilled “within the scope of the law”, the Jat body leading the agitation on Sunday threatened to step it up and passed resolutions asking the community members not to pay power and water bills till their demands are met.
Haryana remained on high alert with maximum deployment of forces to prevent any untoward incident as the All—India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS) observed “Balidan Divas” (day of sacrifice) in the memory of those who lost their lives in last year’s agitation in the state.
Buses off the road
As a precautionary measure, the state roadways suspended its bus services for today on some routes in sensitive districts, including Hisar, Rohtak, Kaithal and Sonipat, an official said.
The Chief Minister said that as per reports received, peace and harmony is prevailing in the State and the organisers of demonstrations have assured of conducting them in a peaceful manner. He hoped that the issue will be resolved soon.
The AIJASS also agreed to participate in the second round of talks with the government in Panipat tomorrow.
Resolutions passed
Meanwhile, its president, Yashpal Malik, who addressed sit-ins in Joli-Lath and Jassia in Sonipat and Rohtak districts, said eight resolutions were passed by the protesters asking the community members “to stop paying their power and water bills till their demands are met“.
“From March 1, they will not cooperate with the government. No one will pay power, water bills and instalment of loans that they owe to the government,” he said. He threatened that the stir will be intensified in Bhiwani, Jind, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Karnal, Dadri, Kurukshetra, Mewat and Panchkula from March 1.
