Jat quota stir: Mobile internet services blocked in Rohtak after clashes over reservation

“Internet and SMS services have been suspended till further orders in Rohtak,” Rohtak SP Shashank Anand said today. The decision has been taken “to maintain law and order” in the district, he said. However, he said mobile services will continue in the district.

#JatReservation row: Jat agitation continues at Sampla (Haryana) pic.twitter.com/wopdF6I1gJ

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 19, 2016

#JatReservation row: Trucks stranded near Rohtak bypass as Jat agitation continues in Haryana pic.twitter.com/AW1tWcS9q3

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 19, 2016

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Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday blamed “differing voices in the BJP” for the renewed Jat agitation for reservation. He also accused the ruling party of having no stand on the issue.

We gave ideal Reservation, everyone was satisfied so no one protested: BS Hooda on Jat reservation row pic.twitter.com/kTyFeM48ak

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 19, 2016

READ: Bhupinder Hooda blames ‘differing’ voices in BJP for agitation 

Several people were reportedly injured in clashes between protesters and police personnel in Rohtak, forcing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to convene an emergency meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday.

A few vehicles, including at least one police vehicle, were damaged by the protesters in Rohtak. On Thursday evening, the administration clamped prohibitory orders in the district by imposing Section 144 of CrPC to avert any further deterioration in law and order situation.

READ: Protest turns violent, Section 144 imposed

Protesters had blocked most national and state highways and railway tracks on Thursday, hindering traffic movement in districts such as Hisar, Jind, Jhajjar, Panipat, Sonepat and Bhiwani throughout the day. Protesters clashed with the police in Jind and Bhiwani as well.

(with ANI and PTI inputs)