DHAKA: Seven people have died in the violence that erupted in several parts of India’s Gujarat province 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.
Five people were killed last night in Ahmedabad, two of them allegedly in police firing after protesters clashed with cops. Two people were killed in Palanpur in north Gujarat today, both allegedly in police firing.
There is a curfew in several parts of Ahmedabad. Schools and colleges were closed today and will remain closed tomorrow. The Army held flag marches in different parts of the city.
Curfew has also been imposed in Surat, which is tense after incidents of arson, damage to government property and clashes this morning. Schools and colleges will remain closed in Surat on Thursday.
India 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 Patedar caste that wants reservation in government jobs and colleges.
The state government led by Gujarat 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 Patedars have to find room in the state's list of ‘reserved’ categories.
Patel had called for a bandh or strike on Wednesday all over the state.
More than a 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 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.
BDST: 2111 HRS, AUG 26, 2015
RR
** 3 killed, army called in to control Gujarat violence
