Once again Gujarat witnessed chaotic situation akin to post pro-reservation ‘Maha Kranti Rally’ during the last week of August following detention of Patidar Anamant Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel on Saturday morning near Surat.
As the news pertaining to Hardik’s detention spread like wildfire, thousands of women from the community came out on streets in different cities beating utensils using rolling pins, demanding release of Hardik and other pro-quota agitators. Police had to fire teargas shells to control the mob in Ahmedabad and Surat. Agitating members also blocked the National Highway 8 near Anand in Central Gujarat.
Earlier on Saturday, Hardik and his 78 supporters tried to hold ‘Ekta Yatra’ from Patel-dominated Varacha area of Surat after Navsari collector Remya Mohan refused to give permission for the march from the historic Dandi, famous for Mahatma Gandhi’s salt satyagraha. As Hardik and others tried to initiate the march, police immediately detained them. Patidars kept changing the starting point confusing the police and State administration throughout the Friday night. Finally, they zeroed in Varachha locality — which has over two lakh diamond polishing migrant workers from the Saurashtra region, most of them Patels — as their starting point.
“We have detained Hardik and other protesters after they tried to hold rally without permission around 9 am,” said Surat Police commissioner Rakesh Asthana. As of now Hardik and others were taken to Varacha Police Station in Surat. The police later said they would release Hardik once the law and order situation came under control. Reacting on his detention, the PAAS convener stated that the Government and the Gujarat Police wanted to create unrest in the State. Ahmedabad-based Vijeta Patel, a pro-quota protester said that women from Patel community would continue protesting on the streets till the release of Hardik.
Several municipal transport service buses and the State Government’s Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses were stoned in Ahmedabad and Surat forcing the authorities to withdraw the services on many routes. In Surat, a State reserve police van parked outside the Kapodara Police Station was set ablaze by the mob.
learning from the past experience, the Gujarat Government responded quickly banned mobile internet services across the State. Confirming the development Gujarat DG PC Thakur said the decision to ban mobile internet service was taken to tackle the law and order situation. The ban would continue till 12 pm on Sunday and further decision will be taken after reviewing the situation, said police.
Meanwhile during a function, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel urged agitating Patidars not to disturb law and order situation in the State. She also said that law would take its course against those elements trying to take law in their hands. She, however, assured that no injustice would be done to anyone.
Additional forces, including BSF and CRPF were deployed at sensitive areas of Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Surat.
Meanwhile, Alpesh Thakor, convener of the OBC, SC, and ST coordination committee hailed the Gujarat Government’s decision to stop the Ekta Yatra.