Curfew lifted in Guj but net ban remains

The State administration completely lifted the curfew in the violence-hit Gujarat on the auspicious day of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and by Sunday morning five columns of Army will return from various areas. However, ban on social media would continue till Monday.Commercial capital of Gujarat — Ahmedabad witnessed normal traffic with all the routes of Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) and city bus services functioned normally. Shops, malls and other commercial establishments not only remained open but also witnessed heavy rush in the wake of Raksha Bandhan. Similar environment of peace and harmony was maintained across the State that include cities like Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Morbi etc.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) PP Pandey confirmed that curfew was lifted from across Gujarat as no report of violence came. In fact, curfew was lifted from most parts of the State on Friday itself barring few areas in Ahmedabad — including Ramol, Nikol, Odhav, Bapunagar, Krishnanagar and Naroda. On Saturday, early morning curfew was lifted in these areas too. Curfew was clamped on Wednesday after widespread violence across the State that included incidents of arson, burning of properties and stone-pelting.  

As violence erupted after ‘Maha Kranti Rally’ organised by Patidars for OBC quota on Tuesday, the State administration was forced to call in para-military forces as well as the Army. With complete normalcy returning in the State gradually these forces are being withdrawn. Five columns of Army which were maintaining peace in various parts of Ahmedabad would return by Sunday morning, said Ahmedabad collector Rajkumar Beniwal. According to a notification issued by the Gujarat Police, Mobile internet services are barred till Monday to avoid rumours and provocative messages.

Meanwhile, convener of Patel Anamat Anadolan Samiti (PAAS) Hardik Patel is expected to visit Delhi on Sunday. He will meet leaders of seven different States there. According to Patel, Patidars have considerable population in Seven Indian States. During the rally on August 25, the 22-year-old hinted to make the quota stir nationwide by saying that in Gujarat alone population of Patidars is 1.80 crore and total population of Patidars in the country is around 27 crore.  

In the afternoon, Patel leaders — including representative of PAAS — Dinesh Patel — met Gujarat’s Health Minister Nitin Patel and submitted memorandum at his office.