Cong workers, MLA detained for staging protest ahead of PM's

At least 176 Congress workers and local leaders of Banaskantha district, including Congress MLA Gova Rabari were detained by police for staging protests and blocking roads to stop people from reaching the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally here.
These workers were detained from different areas surrounding Deesa for trying to block roads as part of their protest against Modi.
"Police have detained 176 Congress workers, including Deesa MLA Gova Rabari for trying to block roads. They were released after the PM's function ended," said Vaghji Parmar, an official of Banaskantha police control room.
After his release, Rabari said the protests were organised to highlight the issue of hardships being faced by people, especially farmers, due to shortage of cash post demonetisation by the Modi government.

"Our protests were aimed at highlighting the issue of demonetisation and it's negative effects on people, especially farmers, who are badly hit by the PM's decision" Rabari told PTI.
The rally was organised inside the aerodrome where Modi addressed a large gathering after inaugurating a cheese factory set up at Banas Dairy.
According to Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Neeraj Badgujar, protesters were not successful in stopping people from reaching the venue.
"Some persons even tried to block traffic by burning tyres on roads connecting Deesa with adjoining towns. However, we have immediately detained these miscreants and cleared the roads. They were not successful in their intention of stopping people from reaching PM's rally, which saw presence of more than 2 lakh persons," claimed Badgujar.