Rohtak tense ahead of AIJASS rally; mobile Internet services suspended

Tribune News Service

Jassia/Rohtak, November 24

A tense atmosphere prevailed in Rohtak a day ahead of the rally-cum-bhoomi pujan of the coaching institute-cum-skill development centre proposed to be held by the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) at Jassia village in the district.

The tension escalated as a group of sarpanches, some of the Jat youths who have remained in jail in connection with the last year’s quota stir and other community leaders staged a protest demonstration against the event at the rally venue in Jassia village this evening.

A mahapanchayat was organised at Bhalauth village in the district yesterday to iron out the differences between the AIJASS supporters and those opposing the rally. The talks had remained inconclusive and a fresh meeting was called today.

However, no representatives of the AIJASS reached for the meeting today, following which members of group opposing the rally reached the rally venue and started a dharna there.

Sensing the volatility of the situation, a heavy posse of police personnel was rushed to the rally venue this evening. The police and administrative officials managed to convince the protesters to return home late in the evening.

Earlier, addressing a Press conference at the rally venue, AIJASS president Yashpal Malik maintained that they would go ahead with the bhoomi pujan-cum-rally, for which full preparations had been made.

He claimed that 10 lakh people from 14 states would participate in the rally. On being asked about the community leaders’ opposition to the event, Malik stated that it was a sponsored programme.

Meanwhile, the Rohtak police and administrative authorities have tightened security arrangements in view of the atmosphere prevailing ahead of the rally. Nakas have been put up at strategic points.

Special cells have been established in every district under the Rohtak range to monitor the information being shared through the social media like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp etc.

SP Pankaj Nain has exhorted the people not to forward any inflammatory messages on the social media and help in the maintenance of peace, law and order in the district. He said the residents could contact Police Control Room numbers 100, 01262-228113 and 9996464100 to share any information/concern.

A case has been registered at the Lakhan Majra police station in the district against some youths for uploading an inflammatory video.

Meanwhile, all mobile Internet services, except voice calls, have been suspended in 13 districts till the midnight of November 26 in order to maintain the law and order situation.