Rail and road traffic was disrupted in Rohtak-Jhajjar region today as the Jats intensified their protest demanding OBC status even as Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed to them to suspend their protest and invited them for talks tomorrow.
The protesters have been staging protest demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under OBC category.
Like yesterday, the members of the community blocked the highways and other roads in Rohtak-Jhajjar region and protests were also staged at some places in Sonipat district.
The protesters today blocked the NH-10 passing through Sampla town in Rohtak district.
Apprehending law and order trouble during Jat agitation, additional police force has been sent to sites where the protesters had blocked highways and were squatting on rail tracks.
In the wake of the Jat stir, the state government has a sought from the Centre deployment of Rapid Action Force and BSF, official sources said.
Rail traffic on the Rohtak-Delhi section was affected in in the wake of Jat agitation, officials said today, adding many trains had been cancelled or diverted through alternative routes.
The agitating Jats had also blocked many roads leading to Delhi, with protesters squatting and even placing truck/bus tyres, tree branches and other articles on the roads.
"The Chief Minister has invited various factions who are spearheading the Jat agitation and others including Khap leaders who are connected with the stir for talks at his residence here tomorrow," Finance Minister, Capt Abhimanyu said.
Abhimanyu, a prominent Jat leader himself, said the BJP Government was all for talks with the Jat leaders with an "open mind".
Despite Khattar's appeal to the protesters to clear the blockade and end protest, the agitating Jats said they want government to take concrete steps to fulfil their demand.
"We do not want mere hollow promises and false assurances. We want the government to come out with a concrete action plan," a Jat protester in Ismaila village in Rohtak district said today
Several trucks were lined up along the roads in Rohtak district, even as commuters also faced inconvenience.
"I was proceeding from Ludhiana to Delhi via Rohtak with LPG cylinders, but I have been stranded for the past two days now. My truck is carrying heavy load which had to be delivered urgently, but there is no option," rued Shyam Singh, a truck driver.
