Update: Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in curfew-bound city areas of violence-hit Rohtak and Bhiwani in Haryana.



At least three people were killed and nine others were seriously injured today near the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) campus in Rohtak, Haryana, as police opened fire on Jat protesters seeking reservation.

The protesters turned violent and set on fire the house of Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu. They also torched a police vehicle. Talking to reporters, Haryana DGP said paramilitary forces fired in retaliation and no one was targeted after mob vandalised DIG office and police vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Police has imposed Section 144 in five 'volatile' districts. Keeping a close watch on the situation in the state curfew has been imposed in Rohtak and Bhiwani. According to sources, Army will be deployed in nine locations in Haryana.



Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on the issue. Rajnath told Khattar that 24 companies of paramilitary forces have been sent to Haryana to maintain law and order and assured to send more if needed. Earlier, the protesters accused Khattar of resisting their demand as he was "not from the community" even as the state government called an all-party meeting to end the impasse.



Jat community protesters have been protesting, after talks between leaders of the community and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar failed to resolve the reservation issue.



List of trains cancelled due to Jat agitation:

Kalka Shatabdi

Amritsar Shatabdi

Chandigarh Shatabdi

Ludhaina Shatabdi

Paschim Express

Kochivelli Amritsar Express

New Delhi-Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express

Udhampur Sampark Kranti Express

New Delhi-Katra Express

Jat leaders said that the agitation will not be withdrawn till the Khattar government comes out with substantive action on their demand for reservation for Jat community in government jobs and educational institutions.

The Haryana government on Wednesday had announced doubling of the quota for the EBC (Economically Backward Classes) category from 10 to 20 per cent after the meeting with Jat leaders. The Jats have rejected the move.

Jat leaders on Friday rejected an appeal by political parties in northern-Indian state of Haryana to call off their quota protest even as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance that a solution will be worked out to extend reservation to the community.

The appeal to the Jat leaders was made by the parties at a meeting convened by Khattar to discuss the demands of the community and find a way out to end the impasse.

However, the agitators refused to withdraw their protest till a legislation is passed giving quota to the community under OBC category and accused Khattar of having "casteist mentality" saying he did not belong to the community.

Meanwhile, mobile Internet and SMS services were suspended indefinitely by the authorities in violence-hit Rohtak in the wake of the agitation spreading in the district.

Trains on the Delhi-Ambala and Hisar-Dhuri routes were hit as the protesters squatted on railway tracks as part of their plan to intensify the stir.

"The political parties have appealed to the agitating Jats to call off their protest to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

"Our first priority is that the Jat agitation should end today and peace maintained in the state. A way will be worked out to give reservation to Jats," Khattar said after the meeting.

He said blocking roads and hampering rail services were not the "right way" to hold an agitation.

Normal life has been severely affected in various parts of Haryana with the agitation hitting supply of essential commodities like milk, vegetables, LPG and petroleum products.

"Supplies of petroleum products are hit in Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jind due to the agitation," an official said.

"Some of the fuel pumps in these districts have even gone dry. Similarly, the supply of LPG cylinders has also been affected in these areas," the official said.

Asked about BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini's remarks against Jat quota, Khattar said Kurukshetra MP's statement "should be considered as withdrawn".

Saini had earlier expressed objection over giving reservation to Jats and had even threatened to resign if there was "any loss" to reservation quota for OBCs.



The schools and colleges will too remain closed till February 22 in Rohtak and Jhajjar areas.

Jat reservation protest in Haryana: Mobile internet services blocked in Rohtak

Jat reservation row disrupts daily life in Haryana, vegetables, fuel running out of stock

