With no reports of fresh violence on Thursday, Gujarat is returning to normalcy after two days of unrest that cost nine lives including that of a policeman and damage to public and private properties worth hundreds of crores.
However, the Army continued its flag march on the second consecutive day as part of precautionary measures in parts of Ahmedabad, Surat, Mehsana and Navasari. The State Government blocked select social media sites and Internet services on mobiles in order to curb rumors. As the Army came to the forefront, people breathed a sigh of relief as they were spared the alleged “highhanded behaviour” displayed by the police on Wednesday.
The Gujarat High Court on Thursday asked the Ahmedabad Police Comm-issioner to file a report by Friday on charges of police excesses in handling the stir.
After two days of virtual shutdown, markets across the State opened on Thursday, but educational institutions remained closed. The effect of appeals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several religious heads to restore peace seemed to have a positive effect on the agitating people.
Trouble started on Tuesday night following the detention of young Patidar leader Hardik Patel post ‘Maha Kranti Rally’ organised to press for OBC status for the affluent Patel community in Gujarat.
The 22-year-old was released after 90 minutes, but by the time violence erupted across the State. Agitating Patidars took to the streets and resorted to stone-pelting, setting Government vehicles and properties on fire.
In Ahmedabad alone, police had to fire 183 rounds to dispurse the mob, burst 575 teargas shells, register 36 cases of arson and arrest about 20 people in the last two days.
“The police, Government and anti-social people were responsible for violence in the State during the last 48 hours,” Hardik Patel alleged, adding that if police dare to attack innocent people again, then the cops will not be spared.
On Thursday after visiting injured people in hospitals of Mehsana and Ahmedabad, Hardik Patel demanded a compensation of Rs35 lakh for those who were killed in police firing.
He also said the agitation will continue till Patidars get OBC quota. He is reaching Delhi on Friday to meet Gujjar leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to decide the future course of action. He also appealed to his community members to show their strength by stopping supply of vegetables and milk to urban areas.
Meanwhile, reacting on Public Interest litigation (PIl), the Gujarat High Court on Thursday asked the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner to file a report by Friday on charges of police excesses in handling the stir. The High Court directed the city Police Commissioner to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within two weeks with regard to the incident of police damaging private property in Sola.
Justice JB Pardiwala observed that police cannot handle such a delicate situation in this manner and guilty officers should be suspended. The court remarked that CCTV footage as published in media shows that police also indulged in this activity. It also questioned why action was not taken against the erring policemen.
Moreover, a magisterial court also ordered an inquiry into the lathicharge that took place at the GMDC ground on supporters of Patidar Hardik Patel and his detention. The inquiry was set on the ground that the action of police led to Statewide violence.