Curfew clamped in many areas in Gujarat, security stepped up

A day after violence erupted in Gujarat during stir for quota by Patel community, curfew has been clamped in parts of Ahmedabad, Surat and Mehsana districts and security stepped up in the wake of the state-wide band today called by agitation leader Hardik Patel.
An uneasy calm prevailed in the state with RAF, BSF and SRP forces deployed along with police to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.
"No incident of violence was reported in any part of the state since today morning. The situation is under control," a State Control Room police official said.
Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti has given a state-wide bandh call today.

Members of Patel community indulged in arson and stone pelting and vandalised public property last night after the detention of Hardik, who is spearheading the agitation for inclusion of Patel community in OBC category for reservation.
More than 50 incidents of violence were reported from Ahmedabad city where buses, police posts and private vehicles were set on fire while police personnel were also attacked at some places.

The violence also spread to other parts of the state like Mehsana, Rajkot and Surat. Similar incidents were also reported from remote areas of Saurashtra region.
Curfew was imposed in nine police stations limits of Ahmedabad in the wee hours today at around 2:00 AM. The areas include Ramol, Nikol, Bapunagar, Ghatlodia, Odhav, Naroda, Narayanpura, Krishnanagar and Vadaj, police officials said.

Curfew was also imposed in parts of Surat city and Mehsana, in Unjha and Vishnagar town of Mehsana district, 90 kms from here, last night.
Meanwhile, chief minister Anandiben Patel had issued an appeal to people to maintain peace.
Hardik, who sat on hunger strike at the GMDC ground here, was detained by Vastrapur police as he did not take police permission.