Arsonists identified
Panipat: The police have identified nine youths who were allegedly involved in burning of motorcycles during the Jat agitation in the handloom city. Sources in the police said the accused had been identified and during preliminary investigations, it had come to light that they were already facing many criminal cases. “We have identified all nine youths involved in the burning of the motorcycles near the mall. They also tried to burn a petrol pump on the Jhatipur road. We are conducting raids to arrest them,” said Anirudh Chauhan, SHO, Chandni Bagh police station. TNS
40% fuel stations run ‘dry’
Chandigarh: Over 40 per cent fuel stations in the state ran out of stock following the Jat agitation. The supply to other pumps has also been restricted due to road blockades in the past 4-5 days. Sources said the fuel crisis would escalate, if violence persisted for some more days. The dealers have demanded financial compensation for the loss (incurred due to the stir) from the state government. "Over 40 per cent fuel stations in the state have no stock as the supply remained disrupted for 4-5 days. In Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind and Sonepat, the majority of pumps ran out of stock. We are the victims of violence and the government should compensate us," said Dinesh Goyal, president, All Haryana petroleum Dealers Association. “The initial estimates show that 30-35 pumps have been damaged in the unrest," he said. Talking to The Tribune, some dealers said they had been receiving fuel supply only from Panipat, Bahadurgarh and Rewari depots. Parvesh Sharma
Slogans greet Barala
Kaithal: State BJP president Subhash Barala, who visited the town on Tuesday to review the situation after the Jat stir, was greeted with “go back” slogans at the PWD rest house. He was accompanied by Minister of State Naib Saini. After addressing a press conference, Barala, Saini and Guhla MLA Kulwant Bajigar came on the gates of the rest house. The crowd, which was waiting to meet the BJP leaders for over two hours, initially raised slogans against the local SP and police. When Barala started speaking, he was repeatedly interrupted. Soon, the crowd started raising ‘Barala go back’ slogans. As the tempers cooled down, Barala asked the people whose properties had been damaged to file their claim for compensation with the district administration. OC
Peace returning to Jind
Jind: After being disturbed for a week during the Jat agitation, law and order is improving in the district. Deputy Commissioner Vinay Singh claimed there were no reports of any untoward incident in the district on Tuesday and situation was under control. In the afternoon, the district administration managed to lift the blockade on the Bathinda-Delhi rail section at Barsola village. Nearly 500 protesters, including women, demanding reservation under the OBC category had blocked the track. After having discussion with civil and police officials, they decided to withdraw their protest. OC
Curfew lifted for a few hours in Bhiwani
Bhiwani: Normalcy returned to the city on Tuesday as the district administration relaxed the curfew for a few hours. The Army and police remained deployed at public places to avoid any untoward incident. Shops were open in the city, but not so in Tosham. Protesters had set ablaze several shops in Tosham on Sunday. A traders’ union leader claimed the businessmen suffered a loss of about Rs 10 crore on account of arson attacks, besides additional losses due to closure of markets. The Haryana Roadways started ‘Sarv Bhaichara Yatra’ buses from here on Tuesday to spread a message of peace. tns
Toll in Army firing mounts to four in Sonepat
Sonepat: The death toll in Army firing at protesters on National Highway-1 near Larsauli village of the district has reached four. Dilbag of Panchi Jatan village died at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak on Monday night. The bodies of three persons killed in firing on Monday — Sunny of Gannaur, Sandeep of Panchi Jatan and Rajesh of Shamri village — were handed over to their families at the Civil Hospital for cremation on Tuesday. No untoward incident was reported from the district. oc
Mayyar villagers clear Hisar-Delhi railway track
Hisar: Jats on Tuesday ended their six-day stir by lifting blockades from the Hisar-Delhi railway track in Mayyar village. Satbir Punia, state in-charge of the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), said they were satisfied with the government’s assurance. Rambhagat Malik, samiti spokesperson, said they had formed a 'bhaichara' samiti that would visit villages and towns to urge people not to believe in rumours. “Some elements are trying to incite the people in the name of caste, but we must not fall prey to it. People from all communities will have to join hands to restore the social ties,” he said. tns
Samjhauta Express to resume tomorrow
Islamabad: The operation of Samjhauta Express, a train service between India and Pakistan, suspended due to the protests in Haryana, will be resumed from Thursday, the Pakistan Railways said. Officials at the Lahore office of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation on Monday said the Dosti Bus service would resume its operation after clearance from the Indian authorities, Dawn online reported. "The Indian rail authorities have informed us that they operated a special train on the Uttar Pradesh route to transport more than 1,000 passengers to Delhi from Chandigarh," said an official involved in the operation of the train that runs between Wagah and Attari on Monday and Thursday. PTI
Insurers to settle claims within 15 days
Chandigarh: The state government has directed insurance companies to settle claims of persons, whose properties were damaged in the Jat stir, within 15 days. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning, held a meeting with representatives of various public sector insurance companies, here today and directed them to settle the claims at the earliest. The representatives of insurance companies have asked the owners of insured establishments, including malls, showrooms, medium and small shops, to immediately inform the representative of their insurance company so that a surveyor may be sent to assess the losses. TNS
Notice to airlines: The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu notice of media reports about airlines making exorbitant hikes in the rate of tickets on the Delhi-Chandigarh-Amrtisar route and served notices on them as well as the aviation authorities. Serving notices on the Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India, Jet Airways, Spicejet and IndoGo Airlines, the HHRC has asked them to submit replies by the next date of hearing on March 8. The Tribune had raised the issue of a steep hike in rates of tickets by airlines. TNS
Cops fail, Army saves face
Chandigarh: While the state police earned the ire of state residents for its failure to control the mob during the stir, the Army played a big role in helping the stranded. Some women alleged they were sexually assaulted by a group of hoodlums near Murthal and were rescued by the Army. The Army authorities said on February 21, a group of travellers consisting eight women and some children were stranded at the Haldiram outlet near Sonepat. The women and children took shelter in the outlet basement. TNs
Jadhav warnings ‘ignored’
Chandigarh: Repeated communications sent by then Rohtak IG Shrikant Jadhav to his seniors hinting at the possibility of a "civil war" and demanding police reinforcements were ignored, sources in the Police Department said. They claimed Jadhav had demanded 10 additional companies each for Rohtak and Jhajjar and five for Sonepat district. The violence started a day after Jadhav's last communication on February 18. TNS
Sonepat admn to form peace committees
Sonepat: Devender Singh, Principal Secretary, and IGP Paramjit Ahlawat on Tuesday held a meeting with the representatives of different sections of society and sought their suggestions on maintaining peace and harmony in the district. DC Rajiv Ratan said following improvement in the situation, a curfew had been lifted in Sonepat and Gannaur towns. However, the curfew would remain in force in Gohana town, he said. In order to restore confidence among people, the DC said the decision had been taken to form peace committees in different markets in the towns and at block level in the rural areas of the district. OC
Security arrangements reviewed in Kalayat
Kaithal: Commissioner of Police OP Singh visited Kalayat town of the district today to review the security arrangements and meet residents at the local police station. He ensured departmental action would be taken against police officials found guilty of dereliction of duty. He said it had been brought to his notice that the police did not handle the situation properly, as a result of which, local shopkeepers suffered financial losses. The Police Commissioner assured action against miscreants who indulged in anti-social activities and appealed to maintain harmony and mutual brotherhood. OC
Five-loss assessment panels formed
Kaithal: The administration has constituted five committees to assess the damage caused to properties. DC Nikhil Gajraj said Bir Singh, SDM, would head the loss assessment committee in Kalayat, whereas Subhita Dhaka, MD sugar mill, Kaithal would head the committee in Pundri. Five loss assessment committees have been formed in Kaithal town under Dalel Singh, DRO, Surinder Sharma, BDPO, OP Bishnoi, Tehsildar, Vijay Kumar, Naib Tehsildar and Parkash Chand, Naib Tehsildar, Pundri. RC Ranga, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner had been appointed the nodal officer for Kaithal committees. OC
