Tension in Rohtak following complete law and order breakdown

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 20

An extremely tense atmosphere prevailed in Rohtak on Saturday morning, with groups of people with tense expressions standing near gutted shops, showrooms and other commercial establishments across the town. Remains of vehicles burnt by the protesters were seen on the Delhi road passing through the town.

Police personnel had vanished from the scenes of violence on Friday, abandoning even police posts on the seventh day of the agitation demanding reservations in jobs and education for the Jat community.

Owing to the total failure of the state machinery in checking the violence and arson, the Army was called upon to control the situation. However, the Jat protesters blocked the roads leading to Rohtak by digging pits and employing other means.

In view of the situation, Army troops were airdropped at the Rohtak Police Lines, from where they set out on a joint flag march with BSF and state police personnel.