Jat stir loss pegged at Rs 34k crore

Fresh violence in Haryana; death toll hits 16; Centre directs security forces to use force to clear blockades

Violence continued in Haryana on Monday, with stone-pelting mobs attacking security personnel trying to clear a road blockade and torching government vehicles, even as the death toll in the nine-day old Jat quota stir was put at 16.

As protesters continued to block some roads, including the arterial Delhi-Ambala Highway, the Centre directed security forces to use force to clear blockades.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the Jat agitation would lead to losses worth Rs 34,000 crore (Rs 340 billion) in economic activity.

It said the economic impact on the services sector would be of Rs 18,000 crore (Rs 180 billion) and claimed loss of Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion) to the industrial and agri-business activities.

The chamber has also estimated Rs 4,000-crore (Rs 40-billion) loss because of damage to infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party appointed high-powered committee, headed by Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu to examine the demand of Jats for quota in central jobs and educational institutions, held its first meeting on Monday.

It has called Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for deliberations on Tuesday.

In related developments, the Haryana Cabinet decided to introduce a Bill on the Jat reservation in the forthcoming session of the Assembly.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Supreme Court refused to hear a public interest litigation seeking directions to restore law and order in Haryana, saying it had no reason to believe that the government was not taking due action.

“We have no reason to believe that the government is not taking action in the matter. . .  .

"We can only say amity and brotherhood be there among all communities. Rest is for government to decide,” a Bench said.

A Delhi-based lawyer has moved the court alleging 'total collapse' of administration in Haryana on account of the Jat quota stir.

The death toll in the nine-day stir reached 19. Stone-pelting mobs attacking security personnel trying to clear a road blockade, triggering a clash in which three civilians were killed on Monday.

The All India Jat Aarakshan Sanghursh Samiti later in the evening announced lifting of its dharnas on national and state highways, in view of the BJP setting up a committee to examine the quota demand.

Besides Sonipat, fresh incidents of arson and violence erupted in several districts, including Rohtak, Kaithal and Hissar.

Sonipat Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Rattan said Army personnel, paramilitary forces and police were trying to clear a road blockade in the district when they were attacked by a mob.

The mob went berserk, setting on fire government vehicles, and attacking the security forces, the DC said, adding there was tension in the entire area.

The latest incident came within hours after two columns of the Army, comprising around 150 personnel, besides CRPF and Haryana Police contingents took control of the Munak canal at around 4 am on Monday from protesters who had cut off the water supply to Delhi, from Akbarpur-Barota in Sonipat.

Image: Shops set on fire as the Jat agitation for reservation intensifies in Sonipat. Photograph: PTI