7 Dead in Gujarat Violence, Army Called In

Mangalore Today News Network

Ahmedabad, Aug 26, 2015:  The Army has been called in from Gandhinagar to restore law and order in Ahmedabad, where arson and clashes were reported last night after the brief detention of 21-year-old Hardik Patel. Three people are reported killed in violence in Gujarat.

Seven people have died in the violence that erupted in several parts of Gujarat after the brief detention of 21-year-old Hardik Patel last night in Ahmedabad. The city is tense and the Army has been called in to restore law and order.
   
There is a curfew in several parts of Ahmedabad, where the Army is expected to hold flag marches. There has also been violence in other cities in Gujarat - Surat is tense after fresh clashes this morning.
   
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for calm in Gujarat. "Violence does not benefit anybody," the PM said in an appeal on television, adding, "We must work together to solve problems through talks".
   
Hardik Patel was detained briefly by the Ahmedabad police last night. He is leading a movement by the powerful Patel or Patidar caste that wants reservation in government jobs and colleges.
   
The state government led by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel says that’s not possible because Gujarat has already hit a 50 per cent cap on reservation, a limit imposed by the Supreme Court.
   
Hardik Patel says the Patidars have to find room in the state’s list of "reserved" categories. "Our movement is non-violent, we have not triggered any violence," he said today.
  
 Mr Patel has called for a bandh or strike today; schools and colleges in Ahmedabad are closed.
   
As many as 100 buses were set on fire overnight and property damaged in the violence in Ahmedabad, Surat and Mehsana cities and the towns of Unjha and Visnagar, senior local officers said.
   
The Centre has rushed about 5,000 paramilitary personnel to Gujarat and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Gujarat Chief Minister this morning, assuring her of all help.
   
Internet services on mobile phones have been suspended in some parts of the state to check the spread of rumours through WhatsApp and SMS. Internet can be accessed on computers in homes and offices.

 

Courtesy: NDTV