Jat stir: Curfew imposed in 5 towns; army personnel airlifted to Rohtak

New Delhi: As violence spread to more areas in Haryana over the Jat quota row, the district administration on Saturday clamped curfew in Sonipat city and Gohana town of the district.

Curfew has now been imposed in five towns in Haryana including Sonipat city.

Read: Jat quota stir turns violent, top BJP leaders in a huddle to discuss crisis

"Sonipat city and Gohana town have been brought under curfew today," Sonipat's Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Rattan told PTI over phone.

Protesters have blocked the National Highway-1 near Nangal village in Sonipat district.

Curfew had already been clamped in Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar towns.

Read: Jat quota: Shoot-at-sight orders issued in Haryana’s curfew-bound cities

Elsewhere, protesters put up blockades at National Highway 73, Saharanpur-Kurukshetra near Ladwa, Saharanpur-Ambala near village Kail, Yamunanagar-Poanta Sahib highway near Chhachhrauli and Bilaspur-Sadhura road.

Road transport was also hit because of the protest as buses remained off the road.

Also read: BJP, RSS conspiring to divide Haryana on caste: Congress

Protesters also blocked the road near Gehli, Dalanwas, Bass, Dongr Jat, Nizampur, Madhogarh and Mohanpur.

Around 200 paramilitary personnel were on Saturday airlifted to Rohtak in Haryana from here after Jat protesters blocked roads following fresh incidents of violence.

The security personnel were dispatched from Delhi's Safdarjung airfield in batches as the trouble-torn district was cut off by road and rail network due to protests by the Jat community demanding reservation.

Read: Jat leaders reject Haryana government’s offer, quota agitation to continue

The decision to send the paramilitary personnel by air was taken by the Home Ministry following a request of the Haryana government.

The Centre yesterday rushed 3,300 paramilitary personnel to Haryana and assured Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of all possible help to maintain law and order as the stir turned violent.

Concerned over the volatile situation, Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday called up the Haryana Chief Minister, who briefed him about the prevailing situation in the state.

Singh also appealed to the people to maintain peace and order and stressed on the need for discussion and dialogue.