Jat stir: 4 die in firing in Rohtak, Jhajjar; toll reaches 5

Chandigarh, Feb 20: Four persons were killed today while several others were injured as security personnel opened fire during violent protests for quota by Jat community in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts, taking the toll to five.

Clashes also broke out between non-Jats and protesters at a few places. "Two persons were brought dead in PGIMS here just an hour ago.

One patient, who was critically injured, was operated upon but he died few minutes ago," hospital authorities in Rohtak said today. "Another patient was brought dead at Jhajjar civil hospital with bullet injury in his head," Jhajjar civil hospital official said.

Six patients with firearm injuries were referred to PGIMS. "One patient is undergoing treatment in Jhajjar civil hospital," official said. Among the four deceased, three were identified as Parveen (Jhajjar), Krishan (Jhajjar) and Nitin (Rohtak).

Around 14 patients with bullet injuries were brought for treatment here at PGIMS from Rohtak and Jhajjar districts. "Three patients, who are undergoing treatment, are very critical," PGIMS authorities said. Security personnel today opened fire at Rohtak and Jhajjar districts, the epicenter of Jat agitation in demand for quota under OBC category, official sources said.

The Jat stir had yesterday claimed life of one unidentified person killed in a BSF firing in Rohtak after agitation turned violent. Meanwhile, in Hansi sub-division, two persons were injured in firing during a clash broke out between agitating Jats and non-Jats at Jaggabara village here, police said today.

The members from Jat community were staging a dharna in Mayyar village when someone used objectionable language to which the non-Jats objected, leading to a clash between the two groups.

An unidentified man allegedly opened fire which injured two persons identified as Ram Niwas Saini, a relative of former Haryana minister Attar Singh Saini, and Budh Ram Gurjar, they said. Both were shifted to Hisar and admitted in a private hospital.

The condition of both is stated to be out of danger, the police said. A group of people belonging to Saini community pelted stones at some shops near Jat Dharamshala Hansi and set a wine shop on fire, police added.

PTI