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Amid fears of renewed quota stir, Haryana government invites jats for talks

Haryana

The Haryana government has invited jat leaders for talk on Friday as a last ditch attempt to avert a renewed quota agitation. The government has promised getting the bill on reservation passed during the ongoing Budget session that ends on March 31.

The jats, who had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to address their demands by Thursday, said they will take a decision on the future course of action after meeting with Haryana chief secretary and director general of police on Friday afternoon.

Bracing for the stir, the state government deployed paramilitary forces and police in sensitive districts and they carried out flag marches in various places to instill confidence among the people in the state which witnessed widespread violence during the first phase of the agitation last month that left 30 people dead and caused extensive loss.

The Centre has sent 80 companies (about 800 personnel) of paramilitary forces to the state which are being deployed in sensitive areas like Rohtak and Jhajjar districts, which were the worst-affected during the first phase of the agitation last month.

To defuse the situation, the state government invited the jat leaders for talks.

“We have been invited by the government for talks tomorrow at Chandigarh,” All India jat Aarakshan Sanghursh Samiti president Yashpal Malik said.

“Our leaders will be meeting Haryana chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) tomorrow afternoon as per the government invitation,” he said.

“Till then we will not resume our agitation,” he said, adding that “after meeting the top officials of Haryana next course of action will be taken.”

In the evening, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Jat Reservation Bill may be brought during the current assembly session “on any day.”

In a brief statement, he said, “Jat Reservation Bill is being drafted after consideration of every aspect and discussion with all stakeholders. This Bill may be introduced in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on any day during the ongoing Budget Session.”

Finance minister Abhimanya earlier said, “We are sure that during this session, this Bill will be passed.”

He told reporters that it is taking time to draft the bill as the government wants to make sure that the new law does not get entangled in a legal quagmire.

“The Bill (to give reservation to jats) is being drafted and we are making efforts to bring and pass such a Bill in the assembly which is in the interest of the people of Haryana and it does not get entangled in legal quagmire … This is why it is taking time (for introducing Bill in assembly),” he said.

He asked jat organizations to give their suggestions to draft this for their benefit instead of giving ultimatum on resuming agitation.

“Instead of giving ultimatum, jat leaders should give their suggestions for drafting a Bill which will be in the interest of Haryana people. It (ultimatum) will not help the state,” Abhimanyu said.

Category: India

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