Haryana On High Alert As Jats Resume Agitation 

Central forces and Haryana police carried out flag marches in Rohtak and some other places on Saturday to instill confidence among people as a section of the Jat community started fresh protests in some districts in Haryana.

The call to resume the protests has been given by the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) headed by Jat leader Yashpal Malik in 19 districts.

The Jats are demanding fulfillment of demands like release of youths arrested during the Jat agitation last year, jobs to kin of Jats killed in the agitation and action against officials responsible for firing on Jat agitators.

The Jat agitation in February last year left 30 people dead and over 200 injured.

In a communication to senior officers in districts, the Haryana government last week directed that security of all major critical points like drinking water supply to Delhi in Karnal and Sonipat, traffic movement on the G T road (National Highway No 1) and roadways depots should be secured.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said people should refrain from participating in any agitation. He said the government will strictly deal with the situation if it gets out of hand.

What is unmissable in these protests is their timing barely two weeks before the first round of polling for the UP assembly elections. Western UP votes on February 11 and is a region with a high concentration of Jat population.

With inputs from IANS