Haryana shunts out top Rohtak cop after violent Jat stir

Chandigarh, Feb 21 (IANS) The Haryana government on Sunday ordered the transfer of Rohtak's Inspector General of Police Shrikant Jadhav, whose area of responsibility encompasses Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat and Jhajjar, the districts worst-hit by violence in the ongoing Jat agitation.

He has been posted as IG, State Crime Record Bureau, Madhuban with immediate effect, a spokesman said here.

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home, P.K. Das said that 11 people have lost their lives in violence in the state so far.

"As a part of the strategy to control the ongoing agitation in the state, the government is studying the footprints of those indulged in spreading hatred on social websites and those found guilty would invite stern action. The government could consider blocking such websites."

Das said that the strategy of night dominance by security forces has helped in improving the situation on Sunday.

He said that curfew was clamped in Kaithal town, 130 km from here, due to violent incidents.

With violence spreading to smaller towns on Sunday, the authorities deployed army and para-military forces in Gohana, Kalanaur, Meham and Hansi town. Earlier, these were deployed in eight district headquarter towns.

Das said that protestors were still continuing blockades on National Highway No. 1 (NH-1) and reports of damage caused to some eateries on this highway have been received.

According to police sources, 2-3 popular dhabas and highway restaurants on the Delhi-Panipat section of NH-1 were attacked and damaged by Jat protestors. The vehicles parked there were also damaged.

"Two sections of railway tracks including Ambala-Delhi and Delhi-Rohtak were still closed," Das said.

Das said that the loss caused to the property in the agitation would be assessed after the agitation gets over and curfew is lifted in affected areas.