Jats call off quota agitation after talks with Hr govt

The Jat quota agitation in Haryana was today called off after All India Jat Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti held talks with the state government in Delhi.
The decision was taken today after a marathon meeting held between AIJASS President Yashpal Malik and Haryana Minister Krishan Lal Panwar in Delhi yesterday.
The dharnas were lifted before 5 PM today after the government assured the agitators that their demands will be looked into within the ambit of the law.
The Jats have been demanding release of "innocent youths" arrested during the quota stir held earlier in February, adequate compensation and job to next of kin of those who lost their lives in the stir and sincere efforts by the government to get the stay on Jat reservation vacated by Punjab and Haryana High Court.

They have also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters during the current phase of agitation.
Besides, Malik, AIJASS representatives went to the demonstration sites and informed protesters about the outcome of the meeting and the future course of action.

Malik said a rally will be held at Mayyar village in Hisar district on September 13 and the government's action on the demands will be examined and the future course of action decided.
In Jind district, the dharna at Khatkar village was lifted by Jats in the presence of Yashpal Malik.
The AIJASS chief criticised several Khap (caste council) leaders, saying they had openly opposed the current agitation.

"We should be cautious of such Khap leaders," he said, hitting out at some of them whom he dubbed as "government agents."
Many Khaps had opted out of the stir this time spearheaded by AIJASS, which began from June 5.
Meanwhile, seven activists ended their relay fast.
Malik visited the Rohtak district today after which the protesters called of their dharna.
He also visited the local PWD rest house in Jind in connection with an inquiry in a case of sedition registered against him at the city police station.
On May 27, a sedition case was registered against him and some others for allegedly threatening peace and communal harmony in Haryana by instigating people to launch a fresh quota agitation.

Meanwhile, the Jats organised "Havan" at many dharna
sites. Reports reaching here said a number of people had gathered at Jassia in Rohtak district.
Authorities said they were keeping a close eye on the situation, which so far was peaceful.
The government is also keeping an eye on the social media and strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in spreading rumours or misinformation on the social media, officials said.
With more people expected to come out at some places, traffic would be diverted wherever necessary to avoid any inconvenience to commuters, Akil said.
He said additional security arrangements have also been made at important railway stations.

Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category, the demands of the Jats include release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir.
There is also a demand of action against BJP MP from Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini for his alleged anti-Jat rants.
The main opposition INLD has openly come out in support of the agitating Jats and asked the state government to meet their demands. Congress too has asked the Khattar government to fulfil the promises made to the Jats after last year's stir.

During the fresh round of the agitation, the protesters have been staging dharnas for the last three weeks at various places in the state amid elaborate security arrangements.
As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in the state during last year's Jat stir which had turned violent.
Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, were the worst hit by the violence.