Paramilitary troops rushed to Gujarat, curfew in major cities

PM Modi, Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel appeal for peace

With tension flaring up across Gujarat due to protests by Patidar (Patels) community turning violent since late Tuesday, curfew have been imposed in several parts of major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Palanpur and Mehsana.

About 5,000 paramilitary troops were also deployed by the Centre to Gujarat even as the state government drew flak over its handling of the Patidar community's Tuesday rally and ensuing violence thereafter on Wednesday. Rapid Action Force (RAF), CRPF and BSF have been deployed in various parts of the state for maintaining law and order.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made an appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and follow principles of democracy. In his address to people of Gujarat, Modi, who spoke in Gujarati said, "It is disturbing that on the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel people have resorted to violence since last evening. Violence has done no good to anyone, ever. I appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace."

Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel too in her message appealed protestors not to damage government properties. "Government properties are public properties. It is not good to damage our own things. We will resolve the issue together and maintain the peace in the state," she said.

Led by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), the Patidar community on Tuesday had held a massive 'Maha Kranti' rally at GMDC grounds in Ahmedabad which later saw community youths forcibly shutting shops, followed by police lathicharge and tear gas shelling.

A late Tuesday evening detention of Hardik Patel, the 22-year-old convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) by the Ahmedabad police further flared up situation with the protests turning more violent in several parts of the city, forcing the police the release him later.

Till Wednesday morning, inter-caste clashes between Patidars and other communities, vandalism and arson led to a state-wide bandh even as Patel, who is on fast as part of the Patidar community's demand for OBC status, called for intensification of the agitation but urged for peaceful protests. Blaming the Gujarat government for the tense situation across the state, Patel warned that the government would be responsible for future outcome even as he demanded suspension of police personnel who had lathicharged supporters in the Patidar rally. Hardik Patel alleged that it was the "unwanted" police action that instigated violence thereon.

According to police sources, curfew was imposed in areas such as Ramol, Nikol, Bapunagar, Ghatlodia, Odhav, Naroda, Naranpura, and Vadaj. Curfew was also imposed in parts of Surat city and Mehsana, in Unjha and Visnagar town of Mehsana district, 90 kms from here, last night.

Protestors targeted buses, government vehicles and government properties even as groups of protestors attacked police personnel and vehicles in what seemed as an obvious retaliation to Tuesday night's police high-handedness. State highways were also blocked in several parts of Gujarat. Trains were also blocked in Ahmedabad and other cities by Patidar protestors.

As precautionary measures, mobile data and SMS services were suspended along with state transport services by Gujarat government.

Meanwhile, the new state assembly session at Gandhinagar which began on Wednesday was soon adjourned amidst opposition leaders of Gujarat Congress protesting against ruling BJP government. Gujarat Congress on Wednesday also demanded resignation of Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel. "Law and order in the state has gone out of control and for that Bharatiya Janata Party is responsible. BJP high command should take resignation of Anandiben Patel," Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia said.