VHP, Bajrang Dal activists target Coca-Cola, Pepsi

Several incidents of violent protests reported from Surat, Ahmedabad

To protest against the US government's decision to deny visa to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal targeted warehouses and offices of US-based establishments.

Party activists also protested in front of the US Visa Application Centre on Ashram Road in Ahmedabad.

The state government has beefed up security at offices and warehouses of Coca-Cola, Pepsi and McDonald's. Armed policemen have also been deployed at the US Visa Centre.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, P C Thakur, said: "We have deployed securitymen at the establishments run by such companies and security also being deployed at the outlets selling products of these companies."

"We have deployed policemen at the godowns of Pepsi and Coca-Cola in the city, to prevent recurrence of such incidents," he added.

Several incidents of violence against US-based organisations were reported from Surat. The change of guard at the city police commissionerate is being cited as a reason for the incidents. V K Gupta, the former Commissioner of Police, had recently been replaced by Sudhir Sinha who is believed to be enjoying close relations with the ruling party in Gujarat.

Activists of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, targeted delivery vehicles of Pepsi at two places in Surat on Saturday. A stockist of Coca Cola and a car showroom were also attacked.

Police sources said a mob of around 15 to 20 people intercepted a Pepsi delivery vehicle near Baroda Prestege, Varachha Road, at around 2:00 pm on Saturday. The mob pelted stones on the vehicle and damaged Pepsi bottles.

Another mob targeted Vijaylaxmi Traders, a Coca Cola stockist at Varachha Road. The mob pelted stones and ransacked the premises. At around the same time, around 15 to 20 people, targeted a showroom of Premier cars at Sahara Darwaza on Ring road. The showroom was closed for the last two days and the mob could not inflict much damage.

Another mob intercepted a Pepsi delivery vehicle at Ram Chowk, Ghoddaud Road, and damaged it. The protesters also roughed up the driver and other people accompanying the vehicle. Damage to the tune of Rs. 80,000 was caused in these four incidents, police said.

"We have arrested seven persons so far in connection to the two incidents at Varachha Road, and are looking for the other accused," the police commissioner said.

In response to a query, Sinha said: "We are checking the antecedents of the accused. From what we have learnt so far, the accused might not be members of Bajrang Dal or VHP, but they could be sympathisers of the two outfits."

The Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have also denied that their activists were behind the incidents.

Surat city Bajrang Dal president Haresh Thummar, said: "We have not issued any directions to our members to indulge in such acts. However, some of our workers, who might have been offended by the US decision to deny visa to chief minister Narendra Modi, could have been a part of the mob."

South Gujarat VHP executive committee member Durlabh Bhalada, said, "The decision of the US government to deny visa to Narendra Modi has angered the Hindu community. Even if any of our activist has participated in Saturday's protests, it was only in his personal capacity, not as a VHP member."