The Haryana government will hold a fresh round of talks tomorrow with the leaders of protesting Jats who are demanding quota in jobs and educational institutions.
In spite of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar saying that their demands will be fulfilled "within the scope of the law", the Jat body leading the agitation today threatened to step it up and passed resolutions asking the community members not to pay power and water bills till their demands are met.
Haryana remained on high alert with maximum deployment of forces to prevent any untoward incident as the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS) observed "Balidan Divas" (day of sacrifice) in the memory of those who lost their lives in last year's agitation in the state.
As a precautionary measure, the state roadways suspended its bus services for today on some routes in sensitive districts, including Hisar, Rohtak, Kaithal and Sonipat, an official said.
The Chief Minister said that as per reports received, peace and harmony is prevailing in the state and the organisers of demonstrations have assured of conducting them in a peaceful manner. He hoped that the issue will be resolved soon.
The AIJASS also agreed to participate in the second round of talks with the government in Panipat tomorrow.
Meanwhile, its president, Yashpal Malik, who addressed sit-ins in Joli-Lath and Jassia in Sonipat and Rohtak districts, said eight resolutions were passed today by the protesters asking the community members "to stop paying their power and water bills till their demands are met".
"From March 1, they will not cooperate with the government. No one will pay power, water bills and instalment of loans that they owe to the government," he said.
He threatened that the stir will be intensified in Bhiwani, Jind, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Karnal, Dadri, Kurukshetra, Mewat and Panchkula from March 1.
The AIJASS leader also said Jats from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will protest in the national capital on March 2 and submit a memorandum on the issue to the President.
They also plan to gherao Parliament, the date for which will be announced on March 2.
Malik said February 26 will be observed as "Black Day" by Jats and to protest against the state government's policies, the community members will wear black turbans and ties, ribbons and arm bands.
The AIJASS president has appealed to the people to stop the supply of milk to Delhi and a date in this regard will be announced later.
"I appeal to my brothers and sisters not to sell milk on that day. Prepare ghee, khoya and kheer from it but do not sell it as one-day milk hartal will be observed in Haryana," he said.
Malik said the government had announced compensation for
those injured in the stir last year "but many are yet to get it or have not been given a proper financial aid".
The issue will be raised at the meeting in Panipat tomorrow, he said.
The resolutions passed today included an appeal to Jats "to not play DJs in marriages as it has been seen that youths who consume liquor on such occasions have a tendency to go astray".
Meanwhile, havans (ritual burning of offerings) were organised at many dharna sites today.
Authorities said they were keeping a close watch on the situation, which "is peaceful so far".
Officials said the government is also keeping an eye on social media and strict action will be taken against those found involved in spreading rumours or misinformation on the Internet.
Additional security arrangements have also been made at important railway stations. Internet services were also suspended at some sensitive places in Rohtak and Sonipat.
The administration in Rohtak diverted the city-bound traffic coming from outside to routes via Kharkhodda, Lakhan Majra and Gohana.
Barring the vehicles participating in Jat stir sit-ins, no other traffic plied on Rohtak-Panipat highway from Rohtak Gol Chowk till Gohana.
In Hisar district's Ramayan village, the protesters were camping close to the railway tracks and the national highway.
The Jat leaders spearheading the stir had held the first round of talks with a Haryana government-appointed committee of senior bureaucrats last week.
Apart from quota in jobs and educational institutions, the protesters are also demanding the release of those jailed during last year's agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for kin of those killed and injured in the stir.
They also want 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 Jats after last year's stir.
