Law & order up in flames, panic spreads
Highways remain shut, shops close down as protesters ransack, set major malls on fire
ROHTAK: Residents of Haryana’s Rohtak district are in a state of panic with the area emerging as thee pi centre of widespread rioting and arson amid demonstrations by the Jat community for job and education quotas.
Shops remained shut in most parts after protesters ransacked and set on fire major malls and commercial establishments.
“We have formed a group of 500 people to guard our market. Miscreants set some shops on fire yesterday, but fled as soon as they heard the sound of gunfire,” said Gaurav Pruthi, a shop owner. “However, before leaving, they threatened to come back and finish the job.”
The state government transferred the inspector general of police (Rohtak range) following large-scale rioting. Sources said he was blamed for not using force against violent protesters and letting things get out of hand.
“Haryana government has appointed Sirikant Jadhav, IG Rohtak Range as IG State Crime Record Bureau, Madhuban with immediate effect,” an official communication said.
The army at the weekend moved by air to Delhi a group of 18 Japanese nationals working with a company in Rohtak. Soldiers also pulled out three Swedish nationals who were in the district to attend a wedding.
Rumours swirled amid the sweeping violence that demonstrators had dumped toxins into the district’s water reservoir.
“Our relatives have been asking us over the phone to boil water before drinking it because there are reports of Jagdish Colony residents falling ill,” said local resident Sarika Arora.
People alleged that the agenda of the movement had shifted from seeking reservations to indiscriminate looting and arson with a slew of alcohol shops, garment showrooms and bank ATMs looted, resulting in losses estimated at hundreds of crores.
In Sonepat district, a mob of more than 5,000 Jat youths wielding swords, sickles, iron rods and sticks took to arson and violence at the Kumaspur chowk on Grand Trunk road, a commercial lifeline between Haryana and Delhi.
Protesters were seen smashing cars, vandalising shopping malls, eateries, and uprooting electricity poles on the road.
Ambulances and vehicles carrying women and children were also stranded on some streets that looked deserted. Hundreds of travellers were seen walking towards Delhi and Chandigarh with luggage in hand as demonstrators ran amok.