Virender Sehwag appeals for calm as Jat reservation protests turn violent

Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag has applied to one and all to remain peaceful in the midst of the ongoing Jat agitation for reservation in Haryana.

12 railway stations have been set on fire till now. Jat protesters in Bhiwani and Sonipat districts have set afire two police chowkis, shops and ATM.

सभी भाइयों से मेरी विनती है की हिंसा त्याग दो और जिसकी जो भी माँग हो वो संवैधानिक तरीक़े से रखो। हम रक्षक हैं, हिंसक नहीं।

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 21, 2016

देश की सेना और खेल जगत और ना जाने कितनी चीज़ों में देश का नाम ऊँचा किया है। हमारा जोश देश के भले लिए इस्तेमाल होना चाहिए।

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 21, 2016

An additional 1,700 paramilitary troops have been sent to Haryana on Sunday, taking the total number of central armed police personnel deployed in the troubled state to 5,000.

"We have sent 17 more companies of paramilitary personnel in addition to 33 companies sent in last three days," a senior Home Ministry official said.

A company of a paramilitary force comprises about 100 personnel.

The additional forces have been sent following a request by the Haryana government, which is grappling with the situation arising out of the violence following the Jat stir for quota in government jobs.

The Jat stir has also hit Delhi with the Arvind Kejriwal government announcing closure of schools on Monday as part of water rationing after supply from Haryana was hit.

With public transport system in Haryana severely hit by the Jat stir for quota, the Civil Aviation Ministry has asked airlines to operate additional flights from Delhi to Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jaipur to enable stranded people reach their destinations.

(With PTI inputs)