Violence in Haryana was unlike any other we have witnessed so far. Not because it was systematic, coordinated, targeted but because there are worrying signs that it could be guided by trained covert warfare experts.

Rohtak and Jhajjar, these towns bore the brunt of the arsonists. In all the places the routine was exactly same and remarkably repetitive.

Steps were
A. Attack property, intimidate but don’t physically attack people unless necessary to achieve step B
B. Loot the stuff
C. Destroy whatever you cannot take. Burn the whole place down. That was a big give away. Things that couldn’t be burnt were destroyed with other means like ice creams and beverages were contaminated with glass shards and other such stuff. It may appear ridiculous for a “‘protestor’ to be doing such things and completely ridiculous for ‘looters’ to waste time and energy in destroying things of little value. So why were they doing it? Were they following a tutored pattern where loot was merely to lure more arsonists to the gang ?

I’ve witnessed many instances of violence and riots but none so true to the field manual of arsonists. Never have I seen such precision and pattern. Usually shops are burnt with a torch or petrol bomb or such and then rioters move away to next target. Here they waited and made sure every little corner and every little thing was destroyed.

The exact same pattern was seen in more than 30 locations in two different towns. At times they divided themselves into groups of 70-80 people, each group consisted of 2 -3 ‘lead’ people, who made sure the drill was followed – attack, loot, burn and destroy. At most places they spent more time destroying than looting. In Rohtak, at Chevrolet service centre more than 70 cars were completely gutted. Five other such centres were similarly targeted and completely destroyed , none could be of any interest to looters. Schools were specifically targeted and they spent time destroying such weird things as school admin and student records. In almost all schools administrative section was completely torched. Much of it defies reasoning. But saboteurs’ objective is always to deal a lethal blow to institutions under attack and to cripple them. And they understand the value of papers and records in disabling institutions. That’s the language and manner of state warfare not of street agitators, looters and rioters.

This follows typical field manual of disruption and arson of CIA and erstwhile KGB, successfully employed in numerous places. Text of arson manual of CIA leaked by an Ukrainian journalist is available for the more curious ones.

At one prominent mall barely a kilometre away from Congress leader Hooda’s house, a mob of 80 people arrived at 11.30. That was pretty late at night and area deserted and therefore should have been very easy for police to handle. The police didn’t reach there at all. That brings us to the other part of the arson manual- infiltration.

Almost six months back a Jat activist and political worker, Abhi Dahiya had expressed worry and warned that people are being mobilised for a major arson. Why was it then not known to state agencies?

Was CM office not given intelligence on the arsonists? Was CM office mislead and misinformed – on preventive steps to be taken and mislead on kind of action to be taken after it had begun?

All scenarios are frightening. If CM was mislead it points to a very deep infiltration into agencies of state and a compromised administration capable of systemic sabotage. If CM office was given intelligence about the arsonists then clearly police and district administration must take the blame for wilful negligence and / or sabotage – their best defence could be that they are totally incompetent.

Somebody has filed an RTI on exact action taken by different police stations in Rohtak and Jhajjar. On number of tear gas shells fired etc. Information available so far is depressing. In most cases nothing was done at all. In some cases where police acted it did so only after situation had gone totally out of control and even then usual measures of dispersing a crowd like tear gassing, lathi charge, rubber bullets , overwhelming the arsonists with greater strength etc wasn’t employed. The response was either lazy or reluctant. Only CRPF acted with alacrity. Although police claim they did try to ‘dissuade’ the crowd by firing warning shots and lathi charge, witnesses dispute it.

Suspected Congress Hand : A journalist covering Rohtak, Shalini pointed out that the Congress leader Hooda’s house was left untouched while its neighbouring houses totally ransacked and burnt including those of two ministers. She also pointed out that the two Jat Congress leaders, the father son duo, made a clean exit and sat at Jantar Mantar appealing for peace in what looked like alibi sit in.

This was before ex CM Hooda’s political secretary’s audio clipping became public where he was heard inciting violence and asking the arsonists to spread over to other areas. Also interesting is unlike 2009, 2011 and 2012 and other Jat movements which centred around Hissar and were non violent, this one almost entirely focused in Rohtak, the home constituency of the Hooda family and viciously violent.

Reports of gang rape of more than 10 women at Murthal, on NH1 after their cars were sat on fire and active police cover up of the incident further erodes any credibility and trust Haryana govt can command.

As of now possibility of systematic sabotage cannot be ruled out and if that’s so we are indeed living in dangerous times. And be ready to see more of it in other states.

In any case CM Khattar is by now a proven and pure disaster. And earlier his party gets rid of him the better. He was chosen by Modi and as Khattar burns down everything good about Haryana, he also erodes brand Modi. Haryana is far too close to Delhi for Modi’s comfort.