Jats’ no to talks with Haryana CS panel

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 7

In a bid to open communication channels with leaders of the protesting Jat community, the Haryana Government today constituted a five-member committee headed by Chief Secretary DS Dhesi to consider their demands even as the agitators rejected talks with the committee.

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While the All-India Jat Aarakshan Samiti led by UP Jat leader Yashpal Malik, spearheading the agitation, has given a thumbs-down to talks till their conditions are met, Khap leader Sube Singh Samain said the panel was a “meaningless exercise”.

“The government has to stop usurping our rights before we get into any talks. The Kaithal administration has not given us permission for the dharna so far even though it is on since January 29. The Panipat administration refused it at the site we wanted to hold our protests. The police are hounding sarpanches and youngsters to deter them from joining our dharnas. In such circumstances, no talks are possible,” said Malik, adding they were ready for talks once this “stalking” ended.

Samain, meanwhile, said their delegation held a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who assured that their demands would be met.

“We want regular jobs for those ‘martyred’ during last year’s agitation and dropping of all cases against members of our community. The CM assured us on this. The committee is not higher than the CM. So, we won’t meet the panel,” he insisted. Sources said the government, realising the situation was deadlocked, decided to form the panel to engage the protesters. Their numbers at the protest venues were growing since parties, including the INLD and the Congress, had extended their support.

The other members of the committee include Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas, Principal Secretary (Industry) Devender Singh, Secretary (General Administration) Vijayendra Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil.