Jat activists clash with police in Jind

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, November 24

Jat activists clashed with the police in Jind on Friday evening during a protest to oppose the forthcoming public address of Kurukshetra MP Rajkumar Saini.

Reports said a number of protesters sustained injuries in the clashes. Four people were arrested for attacking the police personnel and disrupting traffic.

There was no confirmation about anyone suffering major injuries.

The protest first began near Shahpur under the leadership of youth Jat leader Sandeep Bharti.

Officials claim the protesters pelted stones at the police personnel.

As the police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd, the protesters assembled at Kandela village.

Jind DC Amit Khatri said the traffic on Kaithal-Jind had been diverted. He said the situation was tense but under control. 

Confirming injuries on both sides, the DC added there was no report of anyone suffering critical injuries.

BJP MP Saini is scheduled to address a ‘Sammanta Mahasammelan’ at Jind’s Huda ground on Sunday.

Though the rally is being publicised as an occasion to remember social reformist Jyotiba Phule, the ‘social’ function is seen as a political platform by Saini.

Most vocal leader against the job reservation to the Jat community, Saini wanted to hold a public meeting in Jind, considered as the heartland of Jats.

However, Jat leader Sandeep Bharti has been opposing Saini for holding a rally in Jind.

Today also, Bharti led a group of protesters and demanded the cancellation of Saini’s rally.

He charged the MP for spreading communal hatred by making inflammatory and derogatory statements against Jats.

Jind DC said the Sunday rally by Saini had been granted all clearances by the administration.

However, the MP has been urged to refrain from making any direct or indirect reference to any community or caste, said the DC.