Jat protesters told to clear tracks

They shall be held individually liable and proceeded against as per law in case of failure or laxity to comply with the directions,the court said,and fixed March 23 for next hearing and a status report.

Principal Secretary (Home) Fateh Bahadur Singh and DGP Karamvir Singh,who were present in the court,assured that they shall take all necessary steps towards compliance of the order.

Chief Justice Ferdino Inacio Rebello had constituted the special bench after taking cognizance of media reports about cancellation and disruption of train movement following the Jat agitation.

In the afternoon,the bench summoned UP Advocate General,DGP,and Principal Secretary (Home). On behalf of the Central government,Additional Solicitor General (Allahabad) Dr Ashok Nigam appeared in the court.

On a call given by the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti,the Jats have been sitting on the railway track at Kafoorpur in J P Nagar district,between Delhi and Moradabad,since March 5,to press their demand for OBC status in Central government jobs. Despite several requests from the Railways,the state government has taken no action to clear the tracks.

Asked about the HC directions to remove the blockades,Yashpal Malik,president of the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti¿ said,“The matter has been passed on to the legal cell of the samiti and we will make a prayer before the HC on Monday to place our gri¿vances.”

He said the samiti will apprise the court about the long-pending demand of the community¿and the “indifferent¿attitude” of the Union Government.

In another order,the Allahabad bench of the High Court on Friday directed the Director General of Police to take immediate measures to clear the railway tracks and provide full protection for smooth movement of trains.

The DGP was also asked to update the court as to the action taken against the miscreants,cases registered and the result of the investigations. The court asked the DGP to file a compliance report on March 29. It also directed the railways to announce restoration of normal traffic on the lines between Lucknow and Delhi.