Jats cut water supply to Delhi, government says don’t panic

GHAZIABAD/NEW DELHI - Members of the Jat community, protesting the denial of reservations to them in recruitment for central services, Sunday stopped the water supply to Delhi from the Ganga canal. The Delhi government said there was no need to panic and talks were on to resolve the issue.

“Angered over not being granted reservation in central services, the community leaders decided to stop water supply to Delhi from the Upper Ganga canal in Muradnagar town of Ghaziabad,” said a participant in the 10,000-strong crowd of volunteers.

Earlier, Jat leaders organised a public meeting at Modinagar in which a resolution was presented to stop the water supplies. After it was passed, the leaders proceeded towards the treatment plant at Abupur and downed the shutters from where the water was being sent to the treatment plant prior to being pumped to Sonia Vihar in Delhi.

The Delhi government said the issue would be resolved soon.

“We are having a meeting with the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and the district magistrate of the area. There is nothing to panic about. The issue will be resolved very soon,” Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta told IANS.