Chaos on cards as Jats bring agitation to heart of Delhi

NEW DELHI/HISAR: Brace for a protest Thursday in the national capital as more than 10,000 members of the Jat community are planning a rally at Jantar Mantar, while right-wing students have called a march on Delhi University’s North Campus.

Delhi Police dug into their reserves — standby personnel for emergency situations and those from ancillary units — on Wednesday to bump up the headcount along with their regular personnel and paramilitary forces for the two demonstrations.

“Around 4,000 police personnel will be deployed around the city. The Jat protesters will not be stopped on the border and they will be allowed to reach Jantar Mantar. They have assured us of a peaceful, non-violent rally,” a senior officer said.

The Jats, pressing for reservation in jobs and educational institution, will begin their rally around 11am.

The protest at the national capital is viewed as part of their strategy to exert pressure on the Centre.

“Jats from Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital at 11 am on Thursday,” Yashpal Malik, the president of the AllIndia Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), said on Wednesday.

Thoroughfares in the Capital’s central districts are likely to register snarls as the protesters will arrive during the morning rush hour.

Traffic diversions will be done as and when the need arises. There will be no restrictions on the entry of protesters at border entry points to the city, but a ban on tractors will be strictly enforced.