Jats call off agitation in Gurgaon, civic amenities yet to be restored

Members belonging to the Jat community decided to call off their agitation in Gurgaon on Sunday night. The over two-day-long stir had affected normal life in the city, especially in areas like Cyber City. National Highway-10 and many state highways were also blocked by the protesters, demanding reservation.

Over 10,000 trucks were stranded, which hit supply of daily amenities very hard. A price hike is likely to occur in essential commodities like milk and vegetables. Gurgaon gets milk from Mewat and vegetables from Maharashtra, Jammu and Punjab.

Sources revealed that several empty oil tankers were lined up near the Panipat Oil Refinery. Truck transportation in the city and neighbouring regions has come to a standstill as many roads have been blocked. Sources have also said that the transport association could pay penalties to companies if their goods are not delivered on time, as loading of cars and two wheelers from Gurgaon automobile factories has not taken place for the last two days.

Officials said that despite the protests being called off, water supply could be disrupted in Gurgaon for a couple of days. According to the district administration, this is due to a breakage caused by some protestors in the Western Yamuna Canal near Sonepat. Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) currently has enough water to last just a day to cater to its sectors, officials added.

Keeping security issue in mind, around 1500 cops have been deployed in the city—including 500 from Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Several cops, along with 12 ACP rank officials, have been deployed to keep a tab on the Delhi-Gurgaon border area and the city’s major intersections such as NH-8 and the toll plaza.

Gurgaon DC met the Jat leaders of Sukhrauli, Kadipur, Baktawarpur, Kasan ki Dahni and other villages to identify anti-social elements trying to provoke people to disturb harmony. During the meeting, Jat leaders assured that only some pockets of Gurgaon were blocked by the agitators. An advisory from the district administration was issued requesting all private schools to consider closing down on Monday too. Government schools will be closed on Monday on account of Ravidass Jayanti.

However, Jat protestors set a halt room and ticket counter on fire located near the railway line at Dhankot village and Basai railway station respectively. Following the incident, Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said, “If you burn railway infrastructure, forget providing additional facilities. The present infrastructure has to be re-strengthened… please do not block roads and definitely not railway tracks.”

“Gurgaon has been peaceful today. Dhankot incident is very minor. People need not worry about their safety. Law and Order will be maintained”, said Navdeep Singh Virk, Gurgaon police commissioner.