Second day hartal sparks violence in Haryana

Chandigarh, Jan. 31: Hissar town in Haryana was under the Army briefly today as the State, observing hartal for the second successive day in protest against the award of Chandigarh to Punjab, was rocked by fresh violence which left one dead and another seriously injured in police firing.

With today’s fatality, the toll in the police firing since yesterday rose to eight. Six persons had been killed at Rewari yesterday — one body was found only today — and one at Dadri.

At Jagardhari in Ambala district police fired today to disperse a violent mob attacking a post office, killing one person. At Narnaul in Mahendragarh district, one person was seriously injured in firing. At Gurgaon, shots were fired in the air to disperse violent crowds.

Train services throughout the State remained disrupted. The Northern Railway announced the cancellation of 56 trains following attacks on railway property.

Details of the incidents in Hissar, which necessitated handing over of control to the army for some time, were not known immediately.

Chief Minister Bansi Lal told newsmen here this evening that “the situation is under control.”

The authorities were effectively dealing with “irresponsible elements trying to capitalise on the situation,” he added.

More than 500 persons had been arrested in connection with the disturbances. Among them were two former Ministers — Mr. Dal Singh of Jind and Mr. Ram Singh of the former Pepsu State.

Seven Deputy Superintendents of Police, two Sub-Divisional Magistrates and 70 other ranks were reportedly injured in mob attacks at various places.

As reports received at the State headquarters described the situation Jagardhari, Hissar Thanesar, Dadri, and Narnaul as “tense,” the situation was reviewed at a high level meeting.