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Quota agitation by Patel community: As it happened on Wednesday
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Six people were killed in firing by police and paramilitary forces, while one died of head injuries during clashes which started last night, police was quoted as saying by PTI.
Also Read: How Hardik Patel got offended when asked about Arvind Kejriwal
In Ahmedabad, multiple trains have been cancelled and diverted to different routes due to agitation by Patel community.
Cabinet approves amendments in Central List of OBCs to include castes/communities from Gujarat and Uttarakhand as advised by NCBC. The Cabinet has approved inclusion of Sipai and Patni or Turk Jamat communities in Gujarat and Kahars and Tanwar Singhariyas in Uttrakhand.
PM requested for peace. Provisions have been made for miscreants who want to misuse situation. This was unexpected. We should all strive for peace: Kiren Rijiju told ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and calmness in the state and said that issues can be solved through talks. The PM has conveyed the message in Gujarati.
Peace should be maintained in Gujarat. If everyone works together, it will lead to development of the nation: Hardik Patel was quoted as saying by ANI.
I appeal to all the people of Gujarat to cooperate in ensuring peace and harmony. Law and order must be established at the earliest: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel
Tension mounts in Gujarat as three persons were killed in widespread violence sparked by detention of Hardik Patel who on Wednesday vowed to intensify the agitation for OBC quota for Patel community.
BJP-led Gujarat government deploys Rapid Action Force in violence-hit Surat.
Gujarat government orders deployment of Army in Ahmedabad. Army is expected to stage a flag march soon.
Congress leader appeals to people of Gujarat to cooperate in ensuring peace and harmony and says law and order must be maintained at the earliest.
Hardik Patel who is leading the stir says agitation for OBC quota to Patels will intensify in the coming days.
"They (Police) are indulging in violence. Police is beating mothers, sisters and small children. They are doing it the same way it is done in UP and Bihar,” Hardik says.
Earlier in the day, a mob of around 1,000 people burnt two warehouses of Surat Municipal Corporation in Udhna area of the city. Bikes, buses and vehicles were burnt at many places in the city, Surat control room police officials said.
Also Read: Lalu supports Patel reservation demand, says BJP anti-backward
Passenger train halted by protesters at GST railway crossing in Ranip, Ahmedabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeals for peace in Gujarat, says violence does not benefit anybody.
Former AAP leader and Swaraj Abhiyan founder Yogendra Yadav condemns the Gujarat Police crackdown on protesting Patels in Ahmedabad and says serious issues like reservation could not be settled through street protests.
Also Read - Gujarat bandh: Home Minister takes stock of situation
According to news agency ANI, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation office vandalised and vehicles set on fire in Ghatlodia.
Sporadic incidents of violence reported in Surat. Clashes break out between police and protesters.
Fresh clashes reported at Akhbar Nagar Circle in Ahmedabad.
If need be we will go to Gujarat to support Hardik Patel, says Janata Dal (United) leader Ajay Alok.
Also Read: Centre rushes paramilitary troops to Gujarat; Rajnath speaks to CM
About 5,000 paramilitary personnel rushed to Gujarat in the wake of violence during agitation by Patel community for quota.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh calls on Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel and enquires regarding the law and order situation in the state.
Home Ministry rushes additional paramilitary forces to Gujarat as per the request made by the state government.
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel appeales to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace and not to indulge in activities disrupting law and order across the state in light of the violent protests by members of the Patel community across the city.
Reacting to the Patel community agitation, Congress leader Manish Tewari terms the agitation as a failure of Narendra Modi's Gujarat model.
Tewari further says that if a economically and socially backward Patel community demands reservation then what is the fault of Brahmins, Rajputs and Bhumiyars.
In view of tense situation, schools and colleges across Rajkot have been closed.
Also Read: Patel leader Hardik detained; released following backlash
Gujarat government asks telecom companies to shutdown Internet operations.
The protesting Patel community virtually swamped Gujarat's capital in a mammoth rally on Tuesday. However some people resorted to arson, stone-pelting and vandalism after brief detention of Hardik, following which curfew was tonight imposed in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Vadodara and Rajkot.
The state government has deployed paramilitary forces to thwart any untoward incident.
Hardik urged his community members to maintain peace as several parts of Gujarat witnessed incidents of violence.
"I make an appeal to maintain peace and keep calm. I give a call for Gujarat bandh tomorrow,” said the PAAS convenor.
Also Read: No quota, no Lotus in Gujarat: Hardik Patel warns BJP
"This decision has been taken by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti considering widespread violence in the state," the 22-year-old which is spearheading the agitation, said last night.
Addressing the massive gathering of the community, Patel pointed out that the Patidars had proved what they were capable of doing if denied their rightful due -- clearly hinting at the vote bank power of the estimated six million plus community in the state.
Giving a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, Patel demanded that the chief minister should visit the venue and collect the PAAS memorandum, failing which he would launch an indefinite hunger strike on the dais.
Most parts of Gujarat and the entire Ahmedabad observed a shutdown of all business establishments, schools and colleges to facilitate the participation of Patidars in the rally.
The Patel community of Gujarat has been agitating for around a month to fulfil their demands of reservation under the OBC status.
Fresh violence broke out during a day long bandh on Wednesday over the demand for OBC quota for Patels in Gujarat even as curfew was clamped in parts of Ahmedabad, Surat and Mehsana districts and thousands of paramilitary and anti-riot personnel were deployed to control the situation.
Also Read: Know why Gujarat's Patel community is agitating?