Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Dharna thwarted, Jat faction to organise panchayat today

Hawa Singh Sangwan faction accuses Yashpal Malik of conspiring against them

- Bhaskar Mukherjee bhaskar.mukherjee@hindustant­imes.com

BHAGANA (HISAR): As the local administra­tion did not allow the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) leader Hawa Singh Sangwan to hold a dharna at Bhagana village on Tuesday, the AIJASS decided to call a panchayat on Wednesday at the same village.

Talking to mediaperso­ns, Sangwan said, “We would continue our agitation. We have decided today to hold a panchayat at Bhagana village tomorrow.”

He said, “Our main demand is withdrawal of criminal cases registered against Jat youths and their release. The local administra­tion is trying to put pressure on us even as we had assured the administra­tion that we will hold our dharna peacefully,” he added.

Meanwhile, heavy police deployment has been made to maintain law and order around Bhagana, Ramayan, Mayyar vilment. lages. Police, which have installed barricades at several points, checked every vehicle passing through the area.

Deputy superinten­dent of police (DSP) Sidharth Dhanda said, “The AIJASS had no permission to hold a dharna in Hisar. We have adequate police force to deal with any untoward situation. No one will be allowed to breach the law and order.”

Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Paramjeet Singh Chahel said, “The administra­tion is keeping an eye on every develop- Though we have received a letter from the AIJASS seeking permission for dharna, but the administra­tion has not given the permission yet. We will not allow anyone to hold dharna without permission.”

The members of the Sangwan faction of the AIJASS reached the dharna spot, which is about 500 m away from the Bhagana village, at about 10am.

Daljeet Panghal, Hisar district president of AIJASS, said, “On Monday, the agricultur­al field which was designated for our dharna was inundated with water, so we selected Bhagana village. The land owner is ready to give us land and he even gave his consent to the administra­tion in written. We are sure that (AIJASS national president) Yashpal Malik, who is a government man, is trying to thwart our protest.”

He added, “Now, we will start our dharna with the support of the villagers. We will also approach khap leaders for their support.”

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Police put up barricades to stop Jat agitators outside Bhagana village in Hisar on Tuesday.
HT PHOTO Police put up barricades to stop Jat agitators outside Bhagana village in Hisar on Tuesday.

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