Haryana tense as Jats threaten to intensify stir

CHANDIGARH: Haryana remained tense ahead of the protesting Jats’ threat to intensify their stir, seeking reservation on ‘Balidan Diwas’ (day of sacrifice) to be observed across the state on Sunday in memory of protesters killed during last year’s violence.

The protesters have planned to bring lakhs of supporters to all 20 sit-in sites in 19 districts, warning of an “earthquake” if all their demands are not met by the state government. The tremors are being felt by those living in the stir-affected areas or planning to travel through the state.

Adding to their worries are unofficial “travel advisories” put out on social media or sent through messaging services by some “concerned” people.

“Over a lakh people are expected to participate... national highway will be blocked by these protesters. All are requested not to travel through Haryana on February 19,” read one such message that went viral on Saturday.

It was on this day (February 19) exactly a year ago that unprecedented violence had rocked eight districts of the state with rampaging mobs indulging in arson and loot.

At least 30 people lost their lives, and properties worth hundreds of crores was destroyed.

While All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) chief Yashpal Malik, spearheading the three-week-long agitation, has repeatedly said the protests would remain peaceful, panicstricken people in places such as Rohtak have sought security for their educational institutions and business establishments.

The state agencies are worried about four sensitive spots — Jassia in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Joli-Lath in Sonepat, and Jind — where the Jat protesters are holding dharnas and their supporters are expected to turn up in huge numbers.

“These four ‘Js’ are probable trouble spots,” said sources.

A close watch is also being kept at followers of jailed self-styled godman Rampal, who announced their support to the agitators and thronged the dharna in Rohtak. Additional director general of police, law and order, Muhammad Akil assured people that the situation would be normal. SRINAGAR: Locals, ignoring a recent warning by the army chief, pelted stones at security forces when the latter cordoned off a village looking for militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

The incident comes barely a couple of days after army chief General Bipin Rawat warned of harsh measures if youth hampered counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir Valley.

A trend has emerged lately in the Valley where local youth flock encounter sites during raging gunfights to help militants flee.

The army chief’s statement triggered outrage in the Valley, with Opposition parties as well as separatists claiming such remark would escalate tension in the state.

A team of army and police surrounded the village in Urivan-Newa area of Pulwama after getting information about the presence of militants there.

Soon local people started throwing stones intermittently at the forces from the rooftop of their houses, sources at the Pulwama police control room said.

“They were pelting stones occasionally at the security forces when they were doing their job. The searches, however, went off peacefully,” a policeman manning the PCR said.

Army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said stones were hurled at the forces by a mob when they were returning after conducting the search, which was initiated based on some intelligence inputs. The mob was dispersed by the police, he said.

A local news agency in Srinagar, however, reported that the forces had to withdraw the operation after facing “stiff resistance” from locals. Police and army officials refuted it.

Over a lakh people are expected to participate... national highway will be blocked by these protesters. All are requested not to travel through Haryana on Feb 19. A TREND HAS EMERGED IN THE VALLEY WHERE LOCAL YOUTH FLOCK ENCOUNTER SITES DURING GUNFIGHTS TO HELP MILITANTS FLEE