Patidar Agitation in Gujarat is once again grabbing headlines nationwide in India.
The Mehsana district authorities had refused permission for the Sardar Patel Group (SPG) protest. However, the SPG defied the order and gathered for a massive rally, where their group leader, Lalji Patel addressed them. While they were moving across town to court arrest, the SPG supporters and police clashed with each other.
Five policemen, 2 officials and 25 agitators including Lalji Patel were injured due to violence.
Curfew was imposed by the authorities and mobile Internet services have been suspended in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surat and Rajkot, after the violence gripped the town.
Indian Express reported that the Jail Bharo Andolan call was given by the Sardar Patel Group (SPG) led by Lalji Patel, seeking reservation for the community and immediate release of their jailed leaders, including Hardik Patel.
Another prominent group fighting for reservations for Patidars, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), had supported it.
India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation from Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
Measures taken by the state government:
- Deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) across the affected cities
- Request the Centre for 10 companies of CRPF to deal with any untoward situation
- Mobile internet services have been banned in Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot from 6pm on Sunday till 11am on Monday. This ban might be extended.
The Patidar groups, including SPG and PAAS, have given a call for Gujarat bandh on Monday.
