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Ist LD: 1 killed, 21 injured in violent protest in northern Indian state

Xinhua, February 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

A protester was killed and 21 others were injured Friday in India's northern state of Haryana after police fired on agitating protesters demanding reservation in government jobs and education.

The protester was killed in Rothak district of Haryana, about 78 km north of India's capital city New Delhi.

According to officials, the protesters belonging to backward Jat community attacked houses of officials including a local minister and set ablaze several vehicles including police jeep.

Reports said the protesters tried to torch minister's house.

"The protests turn violent, following which we had to open fire that resulted in death of a youth," an official said.

Reports said 21 people were injured in police action.

Hundreds of protesters shouting pro-reservation slogans imposed a blockade at several places in the state including the main highway disrupting the vehicular traffic.

They also blocked the railways, following which authorities had to cancel both short and long distance trains.

Haryana's police chief told media that army has been called in to control the situation in the state.

Authorities suspended mobile internet services in Rohtak and warned against gathering of more than four people at a place.

Local officials said the measures were taken "to maintain law and order" in affected areas.

The state's Chief Minister Friday convened a meeting on the issue and urged the protesters to end their agitation.

"We hope the agitators will end their agitation today as all leaders had requested them to do so," Khattar told media after the meeting. "A committee formed to study the whole issue will submit its report by March 31."

The protests in Haryana were going on for last six days and demonstrators reportedly went berserk following failure of talks with the local government.

Last month a similar group in southern state of Andhra Pradesh resorted to arson and torched a police station and several vehicles.

In India quotas for lower castes and economically weaker sections are guaranteed constitutionally.

Analysts say quotas push people in India to an advantage in government jobs and education. Endit