Mirchpur violence: Jat conclave wants fresh CBI probe

JIND - Tension prevailed in this Haryana district Saturday as members of the Jat Mahapanchayat, a congregation of leaders from over 42 khap panchayats, threatened to block roads and railway crossings demanding a fresh CBI probe into the Mirchpur caste violence last year for which more than 90 Jat youths were arrested.

The protesters are also demanding the trial in the case be shifted from New Delhi to Hisar and the arrested youths be released.

The trial was shifted to New Delhi last month on the directions of the Supreme Court. Around 98 Jat youths were arrested in the case.

The district administration has, meanwhile, moved in 45 companies of the reserve police to maintain law and order. Heavy police presence was also deployed at all sensitive locations.

“Though we have got inputs that some people are planning to block rail and road traffic, so far their protest is peaceful. We have made sufficient security arrangements to keep the situation under control. All arrangements have been made to tackle any kind of emergency situation,” said Ram Singh, Jind’s police superintendent.

The Jat Mahapanchayat - the mega conclave of community leaders - had issued an ultimatum to the state government to accept their demands before Jan 15.

Mirchpur village, in Hisar district, hit headlines last year when it was rocked by an arson attack by the dominant upper caste Jat members on a row of houses of the Dalit (Balmiki) families.

As many as 150 lower caste Dalit families were driven out of the village and their homes were torched, about 300 km from Chandigarh, April 21 last year.

A 70-year-old man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter were killed in the fire in their home and at least 18 houses were destroyed in the attack.