Jat quota row: Section 144 imposed in seven districts of Haryana

Ahead of the proposed agitation by Jats seeking reservation from 5 June, prohibitory orders have been imposed in seven sensitive districts of Haryana barring gathering of five or more persons even as one person was booked on charge of sedition in Hisar.

The prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc have been imposed in seven districts, including Rohtak, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, and Sonipat, that were worst hit by violence during the February agitation by Jats seeking reservation in education and government jobs, officials said, adding that it was done as a precautionary measure.

In Hisar, police booked an unidentified person under charge of sedition and other offences for spreading rumours about the proposed stir.

Police are keeping a close watch on anyone trying to spread rumours or make inflammatory statements through social media. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the seven sensitive districts.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) has given a call for the protest after the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the government move to provide reservation to the Jat community under other backward caste (OBC) category. The administration has specified one spot in each district where people can peacefully hold dharna.

While Khap Panchayats have opted out of the proposed agitation and dharnas from 5 June, Jat community leaders, however, have assured the Haryana government that they will maintain peace during the proposed pro-quota protest.

"They have assured the government that they will hold peaceful dharnas in rural areas and leave out urban localities," said Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan Lal Panwar.

He said the Jats have assured not to block rail tracks or roads. In view of the proposed agitation, Haryana Police has cancelled leave of all personnel except in emergency cases till further orders.

Additional Director General of Police Mohammad Akil said a strict vigil will be maintained on anti-social elements and those found spreading rumours or vitiating peaceful atmosphere would be dealt with sternly.

Akil said Duty Magistrates have been deputed. Help of public representatives and gram panchayats had been sought to maintain peace.

Thirty people were killed and properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees were destroyed during the February quota agitation by Jats.

-PTI