Security beefed up in Kurukshetra ahead of Jats' meet

Kurukshetra, Mar 21: Tight security arrangement has been put in place ahead of a meeting of Jat leaders today to deliberate on the future course of action in view of their ongoing stir in Haryana demanding quota for the community in government jobs.

Heavy police presence was seen in the city today, particularly around Jat Dharamshala here, where the meeting was underway.

Among those taking part in the meeting were Santosh Dahiya, President of the women's wing of All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti and Dharam Singh Chhot, Vice President of the Samiti.

Barricades were placed along the roads leading to the city last night to block the entry of agitators in the city from the adjoining areas of Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal and Kaithal districts.

Police are also keeping vigil at Kurukshetra railway junction and Pipli crossing on GT Road, in an attempt to thwart any effort by agitators to block the rail and road traffic on the national highway number one route, said officials.

The Jats have blocked 12 rail lines in Haryana for over two weeks, affecting train services on several routes, including Jind-Hisar, Hisar-Jakhhal, Jaipur-Hisar, Hisar-Bathinda and Delhi-Rohtak.

The protesters are demanding inclusion of the Jat community in the list of Other Backward Classes (OBC) to enable them to avail the benefit of reservation in government jobs, both in state and the Union governments.

The Jats in UP, meanwhile, withdrew their fortnight-long blockade from the railway tracks on Mar 19 following an Allahabad High Court order but a crucial meeting between the protesters and the government failed to find an amicable solution to the demand.

PTI