Kaithal, October 26
An uneasy calm prevails at Jakholi village in this district where a sarvjatiya panchayat has decided to boycott Lohan families of the village and in pursuance of this decision, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on anyone dealing with these families.

In view of these restrictions, some shops of Lohans face closure as no villager has turned up at these shops during the past four days. A decision to boycott the Lohan families was taken by the village panchayat recently, directing the breakup of engagement of Satyajeet Kadiyan, son of Dr Randhir Singh of Jakholi in Kaithal district, with Pinki, daughter of Partap Singh Lohan of Ramra Bhain in Jind.

It is learnt that the Lohan panchayat objected to this relationship because some Lohan families live at Jakholi village. The panchayat held as such a daughter of their community should not be married in this village. Both Kadiyan and Lohan families are reported to be against this decision.

Following the boycott of Lohans, a karyana shop, a ration depot and an STD booth run by members of this community at Jakholi have come to a near-closure due to absence of customers.

According to reports, Subhash, Dalel and another youth of this village have been reprimanded by members of the sarvjatiya panchayat for maintaining contact with the boycotted families.

It is learnt that though many villagers are angry over the developments, have does to express his views openly.

The decision has created discord between the two gotras living together peacefully for years.

When this reporter contacted some Lohan families, Sona Devi, a housewife, said that life had become miserable for them. No shopkeeper was ready to sell goods of daily use to them. Even chemists had refused to sell them medicines.

A youth, Mohinder Singh, said after the social boycott, labourers had refused to harvest his paddy crop. He said a mason engaged in construction work at a house owned by a Lohan family had refused to return to work, fearing action against him by the sarvjatiya panchayat.

He said they had lodged a complaint with the police. The in charge of the Titram police post had visited their village last evening.

He said now they apprehended danger to their life and property.

Mr Mani Ram Kadiyan, grandfather of Satyajeet, said the Lohans themselves were responsible for the situation as they had failed to abide by the decision taken by the sarvjatiya panchayat a few days ago that Lohans of Jakholi would not interfere in the affairs of the two families.

He said though the Lohans had given their consent to abide by any decision taken by the panchayat, subsequently they had back-tracked and supported the decision by their Khap leaders.

In spite of repeated efforts, contact could not be established with Deputy Commissioner H.S. Malik. However the S. P., Mr Ranbir Sharma, said the administration was keeping a watch on the situation. But the police could intervene in social matters, he added.