As it happened: Jat agitators begin march towards Parliament amid heavy security

The Jat agitation for quota in jobs and education reached Delhi on Thursday with thousands of community members from the northern states descending at Jantar Mantar to extend support to the movement in Haryana.

Roads leading to the protest hub were packed with Jat agitators from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab, giving a tough time to motorists and commuters. Police and traffic personnel were deployed at major roundabouts and roads for managing the protesters reaching the venue.

Here are the highlights:

# Agitators begin march towards Parliament, heavy security deployed

# Essential supplies will be affected when march will be held in Delhi in the coming time: Yashpal Malik

# In the past, we have shown we can stop trains and obstruct water supply: Yashpal Malik

# We have ample support from our community in Delhi. There are 20 lakh jats residing in the Capital: Yashpal Malik

# Heavy security deployed at the Parliament Street police station following the march by protesters

# Jat leader Yashpal Malik threatens to intensify agitation with a march towards Parliament

#Essential supplies will be affected when march will be held in Delhi in the coming time: Yashpal Malik, Jat leader 

#Movement will continue till our demands are met, Govt has to find solutions: Yashpal Malik, All India Jat Reservation Agitation Committee

#Delhi: Members of the Jat community protest at Jantar Mantar, pressing for their demand for reservation in jobs & educational institutions.

Delhi: Members of the Jat community protest at Jantar Mantar, pressing for their demand for reservation in jobs & educational institutions. pic.twitter.com/G4PZRmTUTz

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 2, 2017

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“Jat Nyay Dharna is being held at Jantar Mantar to seek justice for the community members in Haryana and highlight our quota demand,” said Yashpal Malik, president of Akhil Bhartiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti spearheading the movement.

The community members will submit a memorandum on the quota issue to the President and the Prime Minister and take out a march to Parliament, he said.

ALSO READ | Haryana reservation row: Jats, including women, observe 'Balidan Divas' amid tight security

Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Jats are demanding the release of those jailed during last year’s stir, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the agitation.

ALSO READ | Jat quota stir: Haryana govt announces fresh compensation for 'innocent people' injured during protests

As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores was damaged at many places in Haryana during last year’s violent Jat stir.

(With inputs from agencies)