Troops airlifted to Rohtak as Jat protests continue

Rohtak/Chandigarh, Feb 20: Army personnel were airlifted on Saturday to Haryana's violence-ridden Rohtak town after Jat protesters dug up roads to block the entry of military units.

Looting and arson continued in the town through Friday night with unruly mobs targeting malls, shops and other buildings and many of them were set on fire.

Indian Air Force helicopters did several sorties to transport troops into some parts of Rohtak town. The helicopters landed insides the premises of the police Lines.

"Around 20-30 troops were being brought into Rohtak town by choppers. They will be deployed in areas which are under siege of the Jat protesters," a senior officer told IANS.

Curfew was clamped in Rohtak and Bhiwani towns on Friday evening with authorities issuing shoot-at-sight orders.

On Friday, the agitation that started a week ago, got even worse and resulted in the death of three people and dozens, including security personnel, injured.

The Army has been called in to eight districts -- Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Sonipat, Hisar, Panipat, Jind and Kaithal.

The Jats are demanding reservation for the community.

IANS