Haryana On Guard As Jats Begin Fresh Agitation Today

Anticipating a repeat of February's violent protests by Jats in Haryana, the police and administration have prepped strong.

CHANDIGARH:  The Jat community in Haryana will begin a second round of agitation starting today to press on their demand of an increased quota in government jobs and educational institutes. Anticipating a repeat of February's violent protests which claimed at least 30 lives and injured hundreds, the police and administration have prepped strong.

55 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state to check violence during the 15-day protests. Section 144 against unlawful gatherings has also been imposed in Jhajjar, Sonipat, Rohtak, Panipat, Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind and Kaithal which also covers national highways. A dedicated helpline has been provided which will be monitored by a control room in Chandigarh round-the-clock. Bulk SMS and mobile internet have been suspended in Sonipat and Rohtak districts till further notice.

A section of the community spearheaded by All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti will hold fresh protests in 15 places in the state. They say they are unhappy with the state government's quota bill which they anticipate could also be rejected by the Supreme Court on grounds of keeping total reservations under 50 per cent.

In the first phase, the protesters have promised to not block highways or railway lines and stay clear of the cities, but have warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands are not met, which also include withdrawal of criminal cases against Jats during the violent protests in February.

Dharnas are planned in 15 villages in as many districts in Haryana - Mayyad of Hisar, Dhanana of Bhiwani, Atela in Dadri, Jasiya in Rohtak, Dhani Gopal in Fatehabad, Nathusari Chaupta in Sirsa, Jhanj Khurd in Jind, Ballaganv in karnal, Titarmod in Kaithal, Jainpur in Kurukshetra, Matloda in Panipat, Pranpura-bawal in Rewari, Anaaj Mandi in Sonipat and Hussainimod in Ambala.

However, the umbrella body of Jat khaps (clans), the Sarva Jatiya Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat has said that it will not support the protests this time. The group of prominent Jat leader Hawa Singh Sangwan has also decided against participating.

Read More...

In Mercedes Hit-And-Run, Teenage Driver To Be Tried As An Adult

The teenager accused in the Delhi Mercedes hit and run case had surrendred in court days after the accident.

NEW DELHI:In the first prosecution under the amended Juvenile Justice Act, the teenager accused in the Mercedes hit-and-run case in Delhi will face trial as an adult.

The Juvenile Justice board's order came while allowing the plea of Delhi Police seeking to try the offender - who was 17 at the time - as an adult, as the offence came under the definition of heinous crime.

The student had turned 18 four days after the accident in which a 32-year-old marketing executive Siddharth Sharma was killed on April 4.

Delhi Police on May 26 had indited the teenager for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The same charges were also filed against the teenager's father. The police had asked for the teenager to be tried as an adult in a trial court and had also pleaded to revoke his bail.

The police told the Juvenile Justice board that the teenager was a repeat offender and that he had a history of traffic violations which included over-speeding and he was booked for it on June 17, 2015.

He was also booked for driving in violation of traffic regulations on February 25, 2014 and for not wearing a seat belt on September 19, 2014.

On February 16, 2016, he was involved in a minor traffic accident at Maurice Nagar area in north Delhi, which was settled but he put a forged signature on the settlement papers to avoid detection, the police had said.

"We know we won't get justice easily. We're fighting to set an example that no one is above law, said Shilpa Mittal," Siddharth's sister.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act 2015 allows for juveniles 16 years or older to be tried as adults for heinous offences like rape and murder. The Act was amended following public outrage after one of the offenders in the December 16, 2012 gang rape case escaped being tried in the court as he was a few months short of turning 18.

Read More...