Dharna gathers steam even as public woes escalate

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 6

Thanks to the open support extended by leaders of different political parties and financial aid provided by sympathisers, the ‘Jat Nyay Dharna’ being organised along the Rohtak-Panipat stretch of NH 71-A at Jassia village in the district is gathering steam.

Owing to the rise in the strength of the protesters, the vehicular traffic on NH-71 often gets disrupted and one side of the highway has to be routinely closed due to parking of tractor-trailers and other vehicles of the agitators.

With a considerable number of youths participating in the dharna and provocative speeches being delivered, the situation is getting volatile with every passing day. The intelligence agencies have also cautioned the state authorities that the strength of the protesters has been increasing and the matter should be resolved on a priority basis.

However, the local police and the administration seem to be content with their policy of wait and watch so far as the ball is in the court of the state leadership. The additional police personnel as well as paramilitary forces called in view of the protest demonstration remain deployed at the dharna site or engaged in taking out flag marches.

“The district officials are in constant touch with the organisers of the agitation and they have assured that the protests will remain peaceful,” said Rohtak Divisional Commissioner Chander Prakash.

People are also facing difficulties and inconvenience as the local police and administrative officials are deployed at the dharna site and official work is getting affected due to their absence from offices.

Meanwhile, some youths who had been arrested in connection with last year’s agitation and have been released on bail were honoured at the dharna venue today.

VK Juneja, whose school is located on the Rohtak-Panipat road, was burnt by the agitators during the last year arson, has written to the local SP, demanding adequate security for his institution in case the agitation turns aggressive this time as well.