Security has been heightened in Rohtak ahead of the Saturday’s Jat Mahasabha rally in Jassia village of the district, during which, the All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) intends to announce their new agitation plan to press for their demands.
Rohtak superintendent of police (SP) Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said in view of the past history and experiences of violence, the police have set up nakas across the district to prevent any untoward incident.
“The city will be sealed from all sides by the police. The participants of the Jat rally will not be allowed to enter the city and can take the outer bypasses to reach the venue,” Randhawa said.
The AIJASS has called for the rally in response to the Haryana government submitting in the high court that it will not withdraw cases pertaining to the 2016 Jat reservation stir at least till July 11, which is the next hearing in the case.
The February 2016 Jat reservation stir had turned violent and led to the death of at least 30 people and thousands of private and government properties were looted and vandalised.
The AIJASS said the government has backtracked from its promise to withdraw the cases registered against the Jat youths. “This is betrayal by the government. They agreed to withdraw the cases in a meeting with us, but have submitted something else in the high court. In our rally on Saturday, we will take a call for new agitation,” AIJASS general secretary Ashok Balhara said.
{{/usCountry}}The AIJASS said the government has backtracked from its promise to withdraw the cases registered against the Jat youths. “This is betrayal by the government. They agreed to withdraw the cases in a meeting with us, but have submitted something else in the high court. In our rally on Saturday, we will take a call for new agitation,” AIJASS general secretary Ashok Balhara said.
{{/usCountry}}He, however, maintained that they have not yet decided the course of action for the agitation. “It will be decided after discussion with the supporters, whether they choose dharnas, road blockades or boycotting this government for the next elections,” Balhara said.
Meanwhile, the Rohtak police have divided the district into three zones to be led by DSP-rank officers. The police have also shut the Rohtak-Panipat national highway (NH 709) for heavy commercial as well as public vehicles, apprehending large crowds for the rally.
The highway will remain open for commuters on cars or motorcycles, although heavy traffic jams have been witnessed previously during Jat rallies.