Hardik Patel Held and Released: Gujarat Tense, Section 144 Imposed
Hardik Patel has been released after a short detention, but violent clashes rocked Ahmedabad after the Patels’ rally.
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Following the Patel community rally, violent protests erupted in Surat as protesters set two buses on fire, even as Hardik Patel, leading the Patel reservation fight, was released after a brief detention on Tuesday evening.
Out of jail, Hardik Patel’s Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti has called for a state-wide bandh on Wednesday, August 26.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has appealed the people of Gujarat to maintain peace.
The protesters torched the house of Gujarat Home Minister Rajni Patel in Mehsana.
Section 144 has been imposed in Kapodra Police Station and Sarthana Police station areas as the protesters continued vandalising public property.
Violent clashes broke out between the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti supporters and the police.
CM Anandiben Patel has asked Gujarat Police Commissioner to probe the situation thoroughly.
Tension in Gujarat is on the rise as Patidar community members continue vandalism of public property.
According to The Indian Express, Hardik was arrested for organising a hunger strike, demanding the Patel community’s reservation rights, at the GMDC ground in Ahmedabad without taking prior permission.
Mob violence was anticipated following Hardik’s arrest, who was taken to police headquarters instead of the Vastrapur police station.
Hardik’s ally Chirag Patel alleged that before detaining Hardik, the police beat up the protesters.
In case this demand is not met with, the Gujarat BJP unit will face consequences in its assembly polls scheduled for 2017, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti supporters have threatened.
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