Protesters attempted to set two government properties on fire, pelted stones and set an SDM’s vehicle on fire, which prompted police to use tear gas shells.
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The protesters gathered at Modhera crossing as part of the Jail Bharo agitation announced by the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), one of the prominent groups seeking OBC quota for the Patel community.
Aloria clarified that Patidar agitation leader Lalji Patel had suffered head injury due to stone pelting and not due to cane charge by police.
Hardik Patel, 22, emerged overnight previous year as leader of a mass movement demanding more government jobs and college places for the Patel – or Patidar – community that makes up 14 percent of Gujarat’s 60 million population.
A blame game erupted with police claiming they resorted to lathicharge only after some started hurling stones at them while Patel alleged that agitators were targeted without any provocation.
Mehsana collector Lochan Sehra said the district administration served notice against the campaign terming it “illegal”. However, violence took place after some people incited others.
Asserting that trouble-makers would not be spared, Bhatia said: “This city belongs to all and those creating mischief will be dealt with strictly”. “People injured in today’s police action will file FIRs against them”. The state government is in contact with central government for allocation of additional 10 companies if needed in future.
According to the newly-appointed DGP, PP Pandey, the police had to take stern action only after the situation deteriorated as some people resorted to violence.
The incident brought fears of a revival of the Patel community’s quota agitation.
The police took about 1,000 agitators into preventive custody. “He was not injured in lathicharge“, said Shashidharan.
In Visnagar town of Mehsana district at least 3 state transport buses were set ablaze by miscreants, said Visnagar police sub-inspector M H Vaghela.
Another report added that the Patidars – who had launched “Jail Bharo Andolan” in the state – hurled slogans against the BJP-led state government.
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Following this, police put over 400 agitators under arrest and allegedly used force to prevent them from heading forward.
