Brief Peace as Haryana Government Invites Jats for Talks

Police have made arrangements as the 72-hour deadline given by various Jat organisations was to end on Thursday.

Members of Jat community during a day-long protest in Rohtak on Monday, 14 March 2016. (Photo: PTI)

Haryana government on Thursday invited Jat leaders for talks on their quota demand on Friday afternoon. The leaders have, in turn, promised peace until the talks end.

We have been invited by the government for talks tomorrow (Friday) at Chandigarh. Our leaders will be meeting Haryana Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) tomorrow afternoon as per the government invitation. Till then we will not resume our agitation. After meeting the top officials of Haryana, the next course of action will be taken.

<b>Yashpal Malik, President, All India Jat Aarakshan Sanghursh Samiti</b>

Punjab Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala along with Indian National Lok Dal MLAs protesting outside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)

Various Jat organisations had on Monday threatened to resume their quota agitation, which rocked the state last month and claimed 30 lives, if the Manohar Lal Khattar government does not meet their demand by Thursday.

Malik demanded that state government must bring a Bill in the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session to ensure reservation for Jats.

Tension Persists Regardless

Even though the state government has opened ground for talks, the security in the tense areas has bee beefed up.

The security forces were carrying out Flag Marches in various sensitive districts.

The arrangements were made as the 72-hour deadline given by various Jat organisations to the state government was to end on Thursday.

Jat leaders submit a memorandum regarding their OBC agitation to District Collector at the Mini Secretariat in Hisar on Monday, 14 March 2016. (Photo: PTI)

The Jat agitation had rocked the state in February, damaging thousands of crores worth property, claiming 30 lives, injuring several others.