Jat stir: Samartians to the rescue of those stranded on GT road

Panipat: As violence rocked neighbouring Rohtak, many locals in this district went out of their way to offer help to thousands of those stranded on the Delhi-Ambala National Highway due to blockades put up by Jat protesters for four days.

These samaritans came to the rescue of the people including women and children offering them food and shelter.

"I can tell you that there were a large number of local residents and other volunteer groups and social organisations who helped those stranded on the highway. They offered them food, water and even shelter," Panipat's Superintendent of Police, Rahul Sharma said on Thursday.

He said these samaritans also lent a helping hand to the police.

"Police was largely engaged in maintaining law and order. These samartians and volunteers also formed peace committees including in rural areas, which helped in maintaining brotherhood and harmony. Panipat by and large remained peaceful during the stir," Sharma said.

Some of the samaritans including Ravinder and Bhupinder came to the rescue of many stranded on the national highway.

They provided free food and lodging facilities at their Dhaba on the GT road, helping those who had got stuck.

There were also a large number of Sikh volunteers who ran a round-the-clock 'langar' (community kitchen).

"We had appealed to the Sikhs and asked all Gurudwaras to provide assistance to the stranded people," SGPC President, Avtar Singh Makkar said.

Many Sikh youth cooked rice, prepared tea and gave biscuits and other snacks to the stranded people.

The Jat stir in Haryana claimed 28 lives and left more than 200 injured.