Internet services blocked in Rohtak as Haryana braces for Jat agitation

As Haryana prepares for the possibility of Jat protests resuming, internet services were blocked in Rohtak and paramilitary forces were deployed through the state.

Haryana is bracing for a fresh wave of Jat protests even as the government made a last attempt to avert it by inviting Jat leaders for talks on Friday, promising to get a bill on reservation passed during the ongoing Budget session that concludes on March 31.

A week-long agitation in February by members of the Jat community left 30 people dead and dozens more injured. The violent protests caused much destruction to public and private property, even damaging the Munak canal that supplies water to Delhi.

As a precautionary measure, internet services were blocked in Rohtak, that was a nerve centre and also one of the worst affected during the agitation last month.

“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,” Rohtak superintendent of police, Shashank Anand said.

A senior home ministry official stated all arrangements have been made to secure Haryana; 3,000 paramilitary forces have been sent across sensitive places in the state and some spots on the highway to maintain peace and law.

“I have spoken to CM of Haryana, there is no need to worry about anything,” home minister Rajnath Singh assured.

Another 300 personnel have been deployed to guard the Munak canal which supplies water to Delhi. During the week-long February agitation in which 30 people were killed, the canal was severely damaged, leaving the national capital dry for several days. The canal took almost a fortnight to be repaired.

The Delhi government on Thursday said it hoped the Manohar Lal Khattar-led Haryana state government would not be negligent this time and ensure no water crisis in the national capital.

Members of the protesting Jat community, who had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to address their demands by Thursday, said they would take a decision on the future course of action after meeting with Haryana Chief Secretary and Director General of Police Friday afternoon.