Jats postpone quota stir

New Delhi: The Jats on Sunday called off their quota agitation scheduled for Monday in the national capital, following a truce that was reached after a meeting between the leaders of the community and the Haryana government. Jat leaders decided to call off their agitation after a marathon four-hour meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal  Khattar and two Union ministers Birender Singh and P.P. Chaudhary who both are Jats.

“The Centre and state will soon begin the process of giving reservation, following the Delhi High court order,” Mr Khattar told mediapersons in a joint press conference along with the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti chairperson Yashpal Malik.

He also appealed to people in the state to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony. “Ab Jat Dilli na aa rahe (Now Jats are not coming to Delhi). We have called off our agitation and march towards Delhi. The state government has agreed to our demands,” Malik told mediapersons after the meeting. He added that the community will call off its dharna from most of the places in the state, barring few where it will continue with symbolic protests.

Mr Khattar said the two sides firmed up the latest decisions with a “consensus” arrived between them. He added that as part of the decisions made, the Haryana government will “re-assess cases registered between 2010-17 on the protesters and Jats will get full justice.”

“The next of kin of the killed and handicapped during these protests will be provided permanent jobs. Also, all those who were injured during protests will be provided their compensation quickly. The role of the officers will also be probed and we will take strict action against the guilty after investigation. All this will be done quickly and in a time-bound manner so that Jats gets justice. This is our desire and we believe that this issue will get resolved,” he was quoted as saying.