Quota row: Jats block rail traffic, set deadline

Condemning the Haryana government for the delay in granting OBC status to Jats for reservation in government jobs, members of the All-India Jat Aarakshan Samiti squatted

Condemning the Haryana government for the delay in granting OBC status to Jats for reservation in government jobs, members of the All-India Jat Aarakshan Samiti squatted on the rail tracks in Mayar village (near Hansi) of Hisar district on Sunday evening.

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The protesters had blocked almost the entire rail link between Bhiwani and Hisar. SN Roy, deputy superintendent at the Bhiwani railway station, said, “The authorities tried to pacify the agitators but they did not budge. So, as a precautionary measure, we diverted the
Kisan Express to Sirsa via Rohtak instead of Hisar.

We also stopped another train, Rewari-Fazilka Passenger, near Satrod in Hisar.”
The samiti demanded withdrawal of cases against nearly 150 Jats booked on the charges of violence, by Monday evening or else they would block railway traffic in Ramayan village.
The Hisar deputy commissioner said Jats’ demands were being considered and urged them to lift the rail blockade.

Jat leaders Mool Chand Dahiya, Nirmala Devi, Ram Bhagat Malik and Sunehri Devi addressed the protesters. The Hisar district administration took precautionary measures in view of the rally and changed the route of buses.