Jat leaders threaten to intensify stir if demands are not met

The Jat quota agitation in Haryana continued for the ninth day, with protesters sitting on 'dharnas' at various places on Monday, even as the community's leaders have threatened to intensify the stir if their demands are not met by the government.

Amid elaborate security arrangements, the Jats held sit-ins at several areas in the state, which remained peaceful, officials said.

In Chandigarh, Jat leader Hawa Singh Sangwan gave an ultimatum to the state government to fulfill their demands by February 26.

The faction led by Sangwan had been holding parleys with the Haryana government and till now they had not participated in the protests being organised by Yahspal Malik headed All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti .

He said they are demanding general amnesty for the accused in last year's February Jat stir and regular jobs for the kin of those persons killed in the agitation.

Sarv Jat Khap Panchayat spokesman Sube Singh Somain said the current agitation being spearheaded by Malik had been politicised with Congress and INLD joining the stir. Addressing a gathering in Charkhi Dadri, Malik claimed that Jat activists from Punjab are also ready to extend support to the protests in Haryana.