Security Forces Stage Flag Marches Ahead of Jat Quota Stir

Chandigarh: With Jat community members set to hold sit-in demonstrations across the state on June 5 to press for reservation, security forces on Tuesday staged flag-march in many districts, including Rohtak. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar assured law and order would be maintained at any cost.

Central forces, along with the Haryana Police, conducted the flag marches.

In Rohtak district, which was the epicentre of the Jat stir in February, police and Rapid Action Force personnel took out the flag marches. The police appealed to the public to help maintain law and order. Security forces set up check points at several places at Rohtak's entry and exit points.

Border Security Force personnel have been deployed on the outskirts of the town.

Khattar said that any kind of undesirable act, which threatens peace, would not be tolerated during the demonstration announced by members of the Jat community on June 5.

He said there was no objection to holding a peaceful demonstration. However, those who disturb law and order, would be dealt with strictly as per law, he told reporters here.

He said the government has made all arrangements to thwart any untoward incident.

Thirty people were killed during the Jat quota agitation violence in the state in February.

Asked about the report of Prakash Singh Committee being made public, the Chief Minister said that he had earlier said the report had been submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court and also made public, as per his earlier statement.

Replying to another question, he said the report was studied and action was being taken accordingly.

The Chief Minister said the Committee report has suggested departmental inquiry against many junior officers. Departmental inquiry of such officers would be conducted and they are being asked for explanation. Further action would be taken on the basis of their replies, he added.

In addition to their reservation demand, the leaders of the Jat community have called for cancellation of FIRs registered against some of its members during the stir in February 2016.