Hardik Patel, Gujarat Clashes, Patel stir, Patel quota protest, Hardik Patel, Patel protest in Mehsana, Violence in Gujarat, Patidar leader Hardik Patel, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, OBC status
Hardik Patel, Gujarat Clashes, Patel stir, Patel quota protest, Hardik Patel, Patel protest in Mehsana, Violence in Gujarat, Patidar leader Hardik Patel, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, OBC status
Patidar protesters demanding the release of their leader, Hardik Patel, clashed with police in Gujarat’s Mehsana on Sunday, injuring scores, setting a bus on fire and ransacking a minister’s office.
Authorities clamped a curfew in the district and blocked mobile internet services, while Patidars called a state-wide bandh on Monday.
Violence broke out after demonstrators from the community, which wants reservation in education and government jobs, were stopped on way to a prison where they wanted to court arrest.
They vandalised the office of minister of state for home, Rajnikant Patel, even as police used tear gas shells.
"Our protest was peaceful as announced earlier. However, police suddenly hit me and some of our members when we were walking ahead of the procession. I was hit on head. You can see the blood on my face. We were beaten up without any provocation," said Patel, who along with some other agitators were detained by the police subsequently.
SPG chief Lalji Patel received head injury during the face-off with the police.
Meanwhile, SPG as well as Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) have given a call for `Gujarat Bandh' on Monday.
"Our Patel brothers were brutally beaten up during the peaceful rally today. Lalji and few other SPG leaders received grievous injuries in the police lathicharge. We condemn this use of excessive force by police and have given a call for Gujarat bandh tomorrow (Monday)," said SPG spokesperson Purvin Patel, adding that PAAS too supported tomorrow's bandh.
"Police first used the water canon to disperse the mob, as the mob attacked some police vehicles. Teargas shells were also fired as the mob started throwing stones. It also set ablaze some private vehicles. The operation to control the situation is still on," said a police control room official.