Jat quota: Protesters intensify stir; road, rail blockade enters 3rd day
At least 12 trains were cancelled while more than 80 others were affected as Jats stir entered third day on Tuesday.
At least 12 trains were cancelled while more than 80 others were affected as Jats stir entered third day on Tuesday.
Despite police registering complaints against around 50 named and 500 unidentified Jat leaders, the protest escalated on Tuesday morning as protesters blocked all the highways and railway tracks connecting the city.
Besides rail blockade at Ismaila, protestors also sealed Rohtak-Panipat railway track at Ghillod village near Gohana. Delhi-Rohtak NH10, Rohtak-Jhajjar NH71, Rohtak-Sonepat Road, Rohtak-Bhiwani Road and Rohtak-Hisar Road were barricaded at every two kilometres by protesters.
“We want ministers to start the paper work right now and show us the stamps on proposals in favour of Jat reservation. Only then we lift the blockade,” Pappu Pehelwan, one of the leaders who have blocked NH-10 in Sampla.
Many Jat student associations also joined the protest on Monday evening and laid siege in various villages across the district.
According to residents, announcements were made in villages asking for Jat youths to come out on roads and fight for their rights. Children as young as six-year-olds, were also seen laying siege to their villages giving a tough time to the commuters.
Meanwhile, several schools declared holiday due to the stir. More than 700 trucks ran aground while thousands remained stranded as the protesters closed all the alternate routes to leave the city.
Senior Khap leaders who had been protesting peacefully inside Chhotu Ram memorial said police and crime investigation department (CID) officials have asked lift the blockade.
We are not afraid of police and would not step back, they said.
The protesting Jat leaders have started collecting donations to arrange for their food and bedding. While those blocking railway track at Ismaila have already set up a roof top tent, talks were on at Sampla to arrange for comfortable beddings for a ‘long-term protest’.