District top cop booked as Jats clash for quota (Night Lead)

CHANDIGARH/HISAR - One person was killed and several injured as hundreds of Jats demanding quotas in government jobs and educational institutes went on a rampage Monday and clashed with the police in Hissar. The Haryana government booked the district police chief for murder after the incident.

According to police, hundreds of agitators blocked the highway connecting Hisar with New Delhi and indulged in arson in the nearby areas. A number of public properties and vehicles were set on fire and scores of people, including policemen, were injured.

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway.

“Several police personnel, including the SP Subhash Yadav, were injured as mobs indulged in arson. They indulged in heavy stone pelting on police personnel during the rally,” said a Haryana Police spokesperson.

“They set vehicles on fire and damaged a bank. Police dispersed the mob by resorting to ‘lathi’ (baton) charge and use of teargas,” the official said.

Late Monday, a case of murder (section 302 of Indian Penal Code) was registered against district police chief Subhash Yadav and other officials.

The Haryana government also shunted Yadav out Hisar and charge of superintendent of police has been given to Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Nain, a state government spokesman said.

The spokesman said that first information report (FIR) under section 302 of IPC has been registered against Yadav and the Hisar police force. The case has been got registered by the people, he added.

The state government also ordered a magisterial inquiry by the Hisar divisional commissioner into the incident. An official spokesman said the official has been asked to submit his report within one month.

The rally was organised by the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti, which demanded reservation for the community in government jobs as well as in educational institutes.

The protesters gathered at Mayyaad near Hansi town.

Reports said scores of protesters were also injured in the clashes and were admitted to nearby hospitals.

“There were some anti-social elements among them who tried to disturb the law and order situation of the area. While we tried to talk to them, they suddenly attacked us. Some of them are still sitting on the highway,” a police official, who was present on the spot, told IANS.

Jat protesters had also gathered in Sonipat town to press their demand for reservations but were dispersed by the police.

The Jat community dominates Haryana’s politics, especially in the districts of Bhiwani, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Sonipat and Kaithal.