Haryana Jats withdraw agitation after talks with Hooda

Chandigarh, Mar 26 (ANI): Agitating Jats in Haryana, demanding reservation in Government jobs under OBC quota, on Friday night withdrew their three-week-long stir after talks with Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Jind.

In a statement issued here, Hooda said those agitating had agreed to lift all blockades and dharnas with immediate effect.

"It has also been decided to set up 'Haryana Backward Classes Commission' within a month," he said.

The commission would consider the demand of communities of Roar, Jat, Jat Sikh, Tyagi, Bishnoi and others, which wish to come under the ambit of the Backward Classes.

The President of Haryana Jat Arakshan Samiti Hawa Singh Sangwan, President of Benayan Khap Dada Nafe Singh, and representatives of other Khaps thanked the chief minister for the decision to set up the Commission.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has called a meeting of top civil and police officers of the three states today to discuss ways to deal with the Jat agitation, demanding a quota for their community in government jobs.

According to reports, Union Home Secretary G K Pillai will review the law and order situation of the three states with the Chief Secretaries and Director General of Police (DGPs).

Pillai will take stock of the security situation, including the needs of the state, and chalk out plans so that train and road traffic and the flow of essential commodities are not disrupted by the Jat agitation.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday offered a pointed critique of the 'support' being given by the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the Jat agitation. The apex court also ordered the governments of Rajasthan, UP and Haryana to ensure that the supply of water and other essential commodities to Delhi is not affected.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had also asked the Haryana Government to explain why Jat protesters, who have planted themselves on tracks linked to nearly 15 key train routes have not been removed.

Jat leaders earlier held talks with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik to find a solution to their jobs reservation demand and also for selection of students in educational institutes. But there have been no amicable solution so far. (ANI)