Jat agitation: Industrialists cautious this time

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 5

Jat agitation in Haryana coupled with tension ahead of the Operation Blue Star anniversary has taken a toll on business in the region. Manufacturers have stalled their orders for the times being.

Transporters are the most worried lot and they do not want to take chances this time around. Several trucks of the city-based transporters were set on fire at National Highway I and other parts of Haryana during the Jat agitation earlier.

Janakraj Goyal, former general secretary of the Transport Welfare Association, said the truckers were worst hit during the previous Jat agitation. “We are keenly observing the Jat agitation this time. There is a lot of tension in Punjab also ahead of the anniversary of Blue Star Operation. Though agitators block the NH- I as a last resort, it is not advisable to take chances in such a scenario.

Industrialists feel the economy is already weak and such agitations add to the woes of businessmen.

“Precaution is better than cure. It is advisable to wait rather the taking a risk. Agitators target vehicles, especially trucks, to spread panic. In such a situation, it will not be wise to put life and property at risk. Let us see how the situation pans out,” said Upkar Singh Ahuja, General Secretary of Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking.

Many transporters were seen asking their fellow transporters in Haryana about the situation. Industrialists have learnt from the previous Jat agitation when vehicles ferrying material worth crores were set on fire by angry mobs.

Meanwhile, Haryana remained on high alert on Sunday as Jats renewed their protest to press for reservation. However, the protests remained peaceful in Hisar, Karnal, Jhajjar and Sonepat. Several suspects were rounded up by the police.

“I had a harrowing time in February during the first Jat protest. I had been stranded on the GT road for over a day along with hundreds of commuters. Now, I have cancelled my trip to Delhi. I have postponed the trip till the time the agitation becomes less intense,” said Varun Garg, a hosiery trader.