Roundup: Death toll in N. India riots rises to 12 as gov't appeals for end of violence

At least 12 were killed in riots across the northern Indian state Haryana over the past one week, with officials and local community leaders appealing for an end to the violence on Sunday.

The death toll in the riots have risen to 12 by Sunday, most of them being rioters of Jat caste community shot dead by the army and police.

The government has reportedly agreed to meet the demand for quota in government jobs after a meeting with Jat leaders during which it was decided that a bill will be moved in Haryana Assembly for giving Other Backward Classed status to the community, which makes up 30 percent the the state's population.

A leader of the rioting Jat caste group also called for an end to the week-long violent agitations in the northern Indian state Haryana, after meeting with Indian Home Minister Jatnath Singh here, said local media.

Jat Sangharsh Samiti leader Jaipal Singh Sangwan said the demands of the rioters have been med by the government, according to Press Trust of India.

Home Minister Singh has also appealed to the agitating Jats to restore peace while announcing that a committee, headed by Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, has been set up to look into the demand of Jats for reservation in central government jobs.

"I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. But law and order is a state subject. If someone indulges in violence we will have to take action," he said.

However, another leader of the Jat Sangharsh Samiti Rajesh Dahiya said a decision on calling off the agitation would be taken by the community later.

Fresh incidents of arson and violence shook the state again on Sunday with a ninth town being brought under curfew by the army.

In nearby capital New Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal government announced closure of schools Monday as part of water rationing after supply from Haryana was disrupted.

The agitation paralyzed life in the entire state, cutting off all northern states from the capital region.

Trains and buses to and from Delhi and other places have been cancelled. All major highways passing through Haryana have been blocked by protesters at several places.

Some shops including the showroom of a Hyundee automobiles was also burnt down by rioters, while a Maruti-Suzuki manufacturing center was shut down due to blockade by rioters.

Haryana is one of the biggest concentration of foreign direct investment of India with hundreds of foreign companies operating from there. Enditem