Patel community protest: Army deployed in East, West Ahmedabad (Update)

The agitation of the Patel community demanding quota in Gujarat on Wednesday reached a new level after Army was deployed in east and west Ahmedabad.

As per reports, 5 Army columns moved into Ahmedabad, to conduct a flag march.Also, three C-17 Globemaster and one C-130 Super Hercules aircraft of IAF carrying CRPF and RAF personnel landed at Ahmedabad today.

Additional forces were rushed to Gujarat as requested by the state government after the protests on Tuesday night escalated as the angry mobs took to the streets setting public property on fire and blocking roads.

Leading the protest to demand OBC reservation for the Patel community in Gujarat, Hardik Patel called for a state-wide bandh.

However, Hardik Patel appealed for peace in the state.

"Peace should be maintained in Gujarat. If everyone works together, it will lead to development of the nation," Patel said.

Reacting to the growing state of unrest in Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi today appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and uphold the values of democracy.

Following arson and stone-pelting incidents by the members of Patel community after the detention of their 22-year-old leader Hardik Patel on Tuesday night, a curfew was imposed in three towns of North Gujarat and some areas of Surat.

About 5,000 paramilitary personnel were rushed to Gujarat earlier in the wake of violence in several cities. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today, assuring her full support to tackle the situation.