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The authorities called in the army on Wednesday to check the unabated violence in different parts of Gujarat as members of the Patidar community clashed with the police.
Sources in the police said at least five people had been killed in the violence which was triggered on Tuesday night after Hardik Patel, a leader of the Patidar community, was arrested. Patel, the convenor of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, had led a huge protest demanding reservation for the community.
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Confirming that the army had been called in, Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel said: “Fifty-three companies (of paramilitary forces) have already been deployed.”
She added: “I have instructed the police to ensure that innocent citizens are not harassed and private property is not damaged. I urge all community leaders and members to co-operate with the police and maintain peace.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, appealed to the citizens of his home state to maintain peace. Sources said the Centre was worried that if the agitation in Gujarat was not checked, it could spark similar protests in neighbouring Rajasthan, where sections of the Gujjar community have also mobilised themselves in the past demanding reservation. The Jat communities in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana (where the Bharatiya Janata Party is in power) also have similar demands.
Hardik Patel, however, said on Wednesday the agitation to obtain Other Backward Classes category for his community would be intensified. The current protest has found support in Nandurbar district in Maharashtra that borders Gujarat. Schools and colleges were closed there on Wednesday.
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In Gujarat, the alleged mismanagement of the agitation by the police has drawn flak from different quarters.
On Wednesday, the police resorted to firing tear gas shells and even shooting to disperse agitators pelting them with stones and indulging in arson. Journalists had been caught in the crossfire during a lathi charge on Tuesday evening.
Senior state government officers said the police would be completely withdrawn as soon as the army is deployed.
The government has also decided to form peace committees to bring the situation under control. Local members of the Legislative Assembly and community leaders would take part in the peacekeeping process.
Paramilitary forces were deployed in Ahmedabad and Surat where fresh violence erupted on Wednesday. Along with intermittent clashed between members of the Patidar community, inter-caste clashes were also reported.
Curfew has been imposed in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Mehsana and Rajkot.
Prime Minister Modi appeals for shanti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed for calm in Gujarat, his home state. In a statement, issued in both English and Gujarati, he said: “I appeal to all brothers and sisters of Gujarat that they should not resort to violence. The only mantra must be shanti (peace).” The PM said the government was committed to the welfare of all people. “Violence has never done good for anyone. All issues can be resolved peacefully through talks. Everybody should respect democratic values,” he said, adding that Gujarat was the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel.
