Army deployment continues in riot-hit Haryana after four days

Chandigarh, Feb 23 (IANS) The deployment of army columns continued in Haryana on Tuesday, the first day when most parts of the state saw normalcy returning after days of mindless violence.

"Army deployment in riot-affected areas of Haryana has entered the fourth day today. Columns of the Kharga Corps of Western Command are now deployed in Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kaithal, Rohtak and Bawana. Flag marches are being conducted along all sensitive areas in these districts," a defence spokesman said here.

He said that the army had played a laudable role by rising to the occasion in strife-torn Haryana and had limited the magnitude of loss to life and property to every possible extent.

"It restored supply of water to the national capital by taking control of the important regulators along the Munak canal. Intensive patrolling by the army along the stretches of the canal also ensured that the no further damage was caused to the canal. Repair of Khubru headwork has also been completed," the spokesman said.

He said that national highway No. 1 (NH-1) had been cleared and groups of protestors at various stretches of the highway have been dispersed.

"Other succour provided by the army in this situation includes helping out the stranded passengers, particularly the aged, to safer places," he said.

"The Western Command has contributed a lot towards restoring normalcy especially in Rohtak, which has been one of the districts worst affected by the ongoing agitation. Rapid deployment of internal security columns was done by employing helicopters.

"This enabled the command to overcome the problem of blockade of Delhi-Rohtak highway by the agitators and build up sufficient strength before the situation turned worse," he pointed out.