Jat group in Haryana stopped from protesting at state minister’s function

Police in several places in Haryana on Saturday blocked a Jat organisation’s supporters from reaching Umra village in Hisar where they planned to protest against state finance minister Captain Abhimanyu at an archery competition.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) plans to picket chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s and Abhimanyu’s functions in Haryana villages to protest their government’s alleged failure to withdraw criminal cases registered against Jat youths during the community’s 2016 reservation agitation.

Police stopped vehicles carrying AIJASS members in Jind, Hisar, Hansi, Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri. In Rohtak, the police stopped protesters near Meham village and took them to a community centre. Protesters were stopped near Dadri and in Hisar they protested on national highway 9.

“As soon we came to know that the finance minister is coming to a government programme in Umra village, we sent across messages to our activists to reach there to show black flags to the minister,” said AIJASS state spokesperson Rambhagat Malik.

“We had informed the Hisar administration that we will go to Umra to show black flags to the finance minister and hold a peaceful protest. But the administration stopped our activists to reach the venue of the event. We have now decided to battle it out against the government and it should be ready to face similar protests across the state,” said AIJASS Hisar president Mahender Singh Poonia.

Hansi deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Narender Kadian said, “We requisitioned police personnel from the adjoining districts, including those of Durga Shakti Rapid Action Force. No one will be allowed to breach law and order.”

Abhimanyu, who uses one name, didn’t comment about the protests.

First Published: Sep 02, 2018 13:27 IST