In order to avert the repeat of carnage during the previous reservation agitation of February, 2016, the ASSOCHAM made a strong plea with the Haryana Government along with the Central agencies to take effective pre-emptive steps to ensure that renewed Jat agitation does not disrupt normal life in the state and the neighbouring areas.
“We hope the Haryana Government , having learnt from the previous violent agitation that cost the state thousands of crores of rupees and several precious lives, would make fool-proof arrangements to maintain the confidence of the common citizen and the investors, particularly in cities such as Gurgaon, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat, Panipat, Karnal,” the ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr D S Rawat said.
Besides, strict vigilance must be maintained on all the water channels and resources in the state which are not only the supply sources to Haryana but other neighbouring states like Delhi. “Along with better coordination with the Railways and the Central agencies, all the highways and railway lines must be protected at any cost and no untoward incident should be allowed anywhere in the state,” Mr Rawat said.
He said the state is still smarting under loss of property and lives during the previous agitation which had dent the investor confidence there. The maximum damage was done to the trade and small industries and under no circumstances people’s confidence should be affected again.
ASSOCHAM made an appeal to the Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal to personally monitor the developments and “Let the state administration be on top of the situation, rather than taking reactive steps.”
The chamber said at a time when the country needs growth in a difficult economic environment, no state can afford any deterioration in the law and order situation. “All the stakeholders and particularly those indulging in agitation should respect law of the land.”