Dharnas along highways, railway tracks banned

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 29

In the wake of another Jat stir, the state government has directed the district authorities to ban meetings and dharnas near the railway tracks and highways. Senior Superintendent of Police Ashvin Shenvi said dharnas could be staged at designated places only.

The paramilitary forces have been deployed at around ten points in Hisar and Hansi towns as a precautionary measure. The All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) has announced to resume the quota stir from Mayyar village of the district from June 5.

However, Rambhagat Malik, samiti spokesperson, said they would give dharna along NH 10 in Mayyar village and similar protests would be held in all districts. “Our dharna would be peaceful and we would not block roads or tracks. But, if the government tries to use force, it would be responsible for the consequences,” the Jat leader said.

The BJP government’s intentions had been exposed after their U-turn on Jat quota, he said adding that it was their fundamental right to hold dharna at a place of their choice.

On the other hand, the police officials claim to be well prepared to deal with any eventuality. The cops had been holding mock drills in the police lines daily, said the SP adding that although no preventive detentions had been made so far, nobody would be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere.