Looming Jat unrest: Rohtak Police warns rumour-mongers of dire consequences

Rohtak : With situations taking a tense turn as the threats of Jat agitations rear its ugly head again in Haryana, the Rohtak Police on Thursday appealed to the people of the state of not fall for rumours and warned miscreants to keep at bay or face severe action, as violence of an kind will not be tolerated.

“As far as the security plans for any eventuality, I can re-assure that this time the district administration is absolutely prepared and we will not tolerate any violence. We appeal to the people to maintain communal peace in the district and held the administration in maintaining law and order. I can also assure that they need not believe any rumours,” Rohtak Superintendent of Police (SP) Shashank Anand told ANI.

Adding that the administration was extremely active and that paramilitary forces are also on standby, the SP said that the local forces are also geared up and that the civilian officers and magistrates are in conjunction with police.

“My message to all miscreants out there is to keep at bay because we want peace and stability in our district and in Haryana. Appeal to people to not fall into traps of those who are circulating rumours and help the administration in containing the situation,” Anand added.

Talking about the internet services being blocked again, he said that a call is being taken and that they could halt services if need be.

“We are taking a call as to whether we have to halt the internet service or not. It is under consideration and if needed, it will be done. We are also actively seeing the development on social media and have tried to infiltrate into groups. We have got hold of a couple of people who are indulging in rumour mongering,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government of Haryana stepped up security in many towns as the deadline issued by the Jat community to accept their demand for quotas ends today.

On Monday, Jat community leaders had threatened to resume their agitation for quotas which saw widespread violence across the state last month.

“The state government has time till March 17. So far, the government has not responded to any of our demands,” said Hawa Singh Sangwan, the president of the Akhil Bhartiya Jat Mahasabha.

But a bill which will grant special Other Backward Classes status to Jats and four other communities to entitle them to reservations in government jobs and educational institutions is unlikely to be introduced in the state assembly today as there is still a lack of consensus. The bill is reportedly being redrafted for introduction in the state assembly.

The Jats along with Bishnoi, Jat Sikh, Rode and Tyagi communities will be given 10 percent reservation under the special OBC category that is being created by the Chief Minister M L Khattar-led BJP government.

Khattar has assured that the existing 27 percent quota for OBCs will remain untouched. (ANI)