Congress meets Guj Guv, demands President's rule in the state

In the wake of violence in the state over the agitation by Patel community members for reservation which claimed at least 10 lives, Congress today demanded dismissal of the BJP-led state government and imposition of President's rule.
A Congress delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela and PCC president Bharatsinh Solanki, met Governor O P Kohli and handed over their memorandum which has demanded dismissal of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel government and imposition of President's rule in Gujarat.
The Congress leaders alleged the Gujarat government is trying to create a rift between various communities.
They alleged in the memorandum that the state government is acting like a dictator by giving a free hand to police to storm into the houses of innocent citizens and thrash them.

The memorandum charge that tcommon men have lost faith in the police as people now fear that police may attack them.
Congress claimed that inept handling of situation, including firing and lathicharge on people as well as demonstrators, have worsened the situation.

"This government has miserably failed in maintaining law and order, that is why they have taken the help of the army. This government has lost people's trust. Despite having so much powers, this government failed to protect it's people and public property," alleged the memorandum.
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Rajni Patel said in a statement today in the assembly that the law and order situation is gradually improving in the state and no untoward incident has taken place during the day.

Patel gave his statement on the floor of the House regarding the widespread violence in the state in the last two days following the crackdown on Patel community leader Hardik Patel at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad on August 25.
The minister said that due to prompt and effective steps taken by the state government, law and order has been restored in the state now.
In his statement, Patel stated that police and organizers of Patel community's mega rally had a scuffle on August 25 at GMDC ground.
"After the scuffle between police and organizers, we had shifted Hardik Patel and others, who sat on hunger strike, to a safer place in order to prevent the situation from escalating further," said Patel.

Patel said that after learning about this police action, the agitators damaged public property at several places in Ahmedabad. Later, violence spread in other parts of state, said Patel.
Though 10 persons have died in the state during last two days and property have been damaged, the minister did not mention anything about it in his statement in the assembly.