Prohibitory orders in violence-hit Hisar

HISAR - Prohibitory orders were issued in this violence-hit Haryana district Wednesday to maintain law and order and deal with any untoward incident in the wake of an agitation by the Jat community, an official said. However, the situation was mostly peaceful.

Members of the Jat community, seeking reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, as also other backward class (OBC) status, had indulged in widespread violence in the last few days.

The prohibitory orders were issued by Hisar district magistrate Yudhvir Singh Khyaliya.

“Section 144 has been imposed. No one is allowed to carry any kind of weapon and gathering of five or more persons has been prohibited in the district till further orders,” a government spokesperson told reporters.

“Stern legal action would be taken against those found violating these instructions,” he added.

Hisar education officer Mitrsain Malhotra announced that all schools and government colleges in Hisar’s Barwala town would remain closed Thursday.

Barring two-three incidents, the situation remained peaceful Wednesday.

Some agitated members of the Jat community burnt a Haryana Roadways bus near village Pionda on Kaithal-Hisar national highway. They also tried to disrupt the traffic by throwing wood and trees’ branches in the middle of the highway.

Some agitators also blocked traffic on the Hisar-Chandigarh national highway, near Narwana town. However, police intervened in time and dispersed the mob.

“No major incident of violence was reported from Hisar district today (Wednesday). We are in constant touch with Jat leaders and they have assured that they will cooperate with us and not indulge in any violent activity,” Hisar acting superintendent of police Pankaj Nyan told IANS.

Life limped back to normal, a day after curfew was imposed in parts of the district due to widespread violence by the Jat community, police said.

“Curfew has been lifted from the district. All the routes where traffic was either disrupted or completely snapped have resumed as per routine. Around 99 percent roads are open and traffic is running smoothly,” Nyan said.

Members of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti had gone on the rampage Monday and Tuesday, targeting government and private property. However, they suspended the protests after an assurance by the Haryana government late Tuesday.

“The overall situation is totally under control. Enough security personnel have been deployed at all sensitive locations in the district to keep an eye on all anti-social elements,” Nyan said.

One youth, Sunil Lamba, was killed in police firing and several were injured in Monday’s clashes.

“People have started coming out for their work as usual. Shopkeepers have also opened their shops. Though some tension still prevails in some parts of the area, there is nothing to worry. We have made all arrangements to tackle any kind of emergency situation,” Nyan said.

Following the violence, Hisar Superintendent of Police Subhash Yadav was booked and removed from his post late Monday.