M A I N   N E W S

Govt frees Jat protesters, but standoff continues
Agitators refuse to listen to leaders, continue to block tracks
Raman Mohan & Geetanjali Gayatri/TNS

Hisar/Chandigarh, March 11
The Haryana Government today released 101 activists arrested during the Jat agitation to press for job reservation under the OBC quota, but the stalemate continued. Protesters blocking the rail track near Hisar refused to listen to their leaders and Khap representatives and did not allow the cremation of 20-year-old Sandeep, allegedly killed during police action.

The government and Khap representatives had late last night agreed that the Jats would call off their agitation and cremate Sandeep’s body after some jailed activists were freed. The government today released the jailed activists, some of whom were charged with serious offences such as sedition.

The leaders of the protesters then proceeded to Ramayan and Mayyar village where Sandeep’s body has been placed on the tracks to talk to the agitators, but they refused to give in.

The released leaders said they would take stock of the situation tonight and a decision would be taken tomorrow.

As the per the understanding between the government and Jat leaders, Sandeep’s body should have been cremated after the release of the arrested activists and the agitation suspended till September 13, the death anniversary of Sunil Sheoran, who was killed in police firing at Mayyar village during the Jat agitation in 2010.

Earlier in the day, the state Cabinet was given a run-down of events and yesterday’s understanding. It was also apprised of the developments of the past 21 days. Sources said the Cabinet meeting was convened to secure a stamp of unanimity on the understanding with the protesters.

Also, with some ministers singing a different tune on the issue of Jat reservation, the government wanted the Cabinet nod to convey that every member was involved in the decision-making.

PWD Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala briefed the Cabinet about the goings-on since the stir began. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda explained the terms of last night’s agreement and the government’s decision to recommend the release of the jailed protesters.