Rohtak watches as buildings burn

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 20

Jat protesters today set ablaze more than 10 buildings, ransacked and looted showrooms despite curfew and shoot-at-sight orders.

Group clashes were reported from several areas in which one person was killed and over 100 were injured.

The Vita milk plant on the Gohana road near the Sukhpura chowk was also set ablaze. Following this, ammonia gas leaked from the plant and the residents of the Vita colony were moved to safer locations.

In view of the situation, Army troops were airdropped at the Rohtak Police Lines. From there, they started a joint flag march with BSF and police personnel. However, in view of a massive assembly of protesters near the MDU gate number 2 on the Delhi road, they were directed to take a U-turn, so as to avert a clash.

Later, the Jat protesters went on the rampage and set the BJP’s office, Meham police station, several hotels, restaurants, a petrol station, a shopping mall, showrooms, shops and other commercial establishments on fire. Several vehicles were also torched.

Police personnel, who had vanished from the spots of violence yesterday, abandoned their police posts today and locked stations.

A number of Punjabi and non-Jat businessmen, traders and shopkeepers alleged their showrooms and other establishments had been specifically targeted. Jat youths allegedly threatened members of the Punjabi and other non-Jat communities of raiding their houses during the night

On the other hand, Jat residents of Sector 3 alleged threats of attack by members of Saini, Gujjar and Balmiki communities.

The Principal Secretary to CM, RK Khullar, said he had noted the details and action would be taken. He, however, had no reply to the question why the Army had been unable to check the rioters. 

...Agitation peaceful in Yamunanagar

Yamunanagar: Jat agitators on Saturday blocked roads at several places in the district, but the protest passed off peacefully. The agitators blocked the road at Kail village, Chhachhrauli, Bilaspur, Sadhaura and Radaur towns. The blockades in Sadhaura and Radaur towns were lifted with intervention of Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia and Superintendent of Police Arun Singh. The protesters did not stop any ambulance or other emergency vehicles. The district administration had made arrangements to divert the traffic and as a result. The DC said the situation was under control in the district. — TNS

Two Roadways buses torched 

Bhiwani: Unidentified protesters torched two roadways buses parked at the Charkhi Dadri depot in the wee hours today after they threw crude petrol bombs. Fire engines were pressed into service and saved other buses from catching fire. Naresh Kumar, bus depot chowkidar, said nearly 10 youths barged into the bus depot on motorcycles and started pelting stones. Later, they threw crude petrol bombs on buses, he said. Vijaypal Singh, workshop mechanic, said the staff ran away after the youths created ruckus.   — TNS

Bhiwani remains shut; shops vandalised

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday adopted a twin stance on Haryana, with some state leaders appealing for restoration of peace and social harmony and others accusing the BJP-RSS of conspiring to divide the society on caste lines. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda sought to adopt a statesman-like approach, suggesting the state government to find a solution on Jat reservation and not indulge in “petty politics”. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surejwala said he was pained that the BJP-RSS was dividing Haryana on caste lines. — TNS