Haryana govt tells Centre no sexual assault in Murthal during Jat stir

The Haryana government has rejected allegations that women were sexually assaulted in Murthal during a protest by Jats demanding government benefits, but said some women travellers were harassed.

The Haryana government has rejected allegations that women were sexually assaulted in Murthal during a protest by Jats demanding government benefits, but said some women travellers were harassed.

Large-scale violence and destruction of property was reported during the week-long Jat protest in Haryana in which around 30 people were killed. (Ravi Kumar/HT Photo)

In a report submitted to the home ministry, the Haryana government said no eyewitnesses or victims had come forward to lodge complaints of sexual assault.

Murthal is popular for its eateries along a national highway which the protesters had blocked during their agitation.

An official source said a cloth shop in Murthal was looted by the protestors and that could be a possible explanation for the recovery of women’s innerwear from fields in the area. The reports had triggered reports of sexual assault.

The Jat protests saw violence and destruction of public and private properties at many places in Haryana. Around 30 people, mostly Jat agitators, had died during the week-long protests.