E-Paper
Hardik Patel detained, internet services suspended in Gujarat
Hardik Patel, who has been leading an agitation to press for reservation for the Patel community in Gujarat, and 78 other protestors were detained on Saturday in Surat for trying to hold a protest march.
Hardik Patel, who has been leading an agitation to press for reservation for the Patel community in Gujarat, and 78 other protestors were detained on Saturday in Surat for trying to hold a protest march.
Patidar Ananmat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Patel and his supporters have been moved to Varachha police station in Surat, according to ANI.
"The government and the police of Gujarat just want to create unrest in the state," said Patel after his detention.
The Gujarat government had on Friday denied permission for Patel's 'Ekta Yatra' plan citing law and order issues, but he had announced they would hold the non-violent protest rally anyway.
"We spoke to the Gujarat government about the police atrocities and they promised us a solution in 10 days. There has been no suspension yet. So, we will hold a protest rally tomorrow but with a twist," Patel had said on Friday.
"The protest rally would be non-violent. We will make sure no one incurs any loss because of the rally. But the rally would be without any permission," he added.
Patel, who burst into the limelight in July this year, has been protesting to demand reservation in education and jobs for the Patidars, a largely wealthy business community in the state. He organised a massive rally in August in Ahmedabad that led to two days of violence across the state in which 10 people were killed.
The 22-year-old leader also said they would be holding rallies in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Haryana. He made it clear that the rally in Bihar will be for the Patel community and not aimed at any political party.
Patel had earlier this month met former chief minister and important Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel before a meeting of the PAAS core team with Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel over alleged police atrocity on the community members.
Ban on internet services
In a bid to curb spread of rumours after the detention of Hardik, the Gujarat administration banned mobile internet services across the state.
"We have decided to ban mobile Internet service in the state to tackle the law and order situation and to curb the rumours across Gujarat for an indefinite period," PC Thakur, director general of police, said.
According to a notification issued by Ahmedabad city police commissioner Shivanand Jha, mobile internet services have been banned from this afternoon to 12 PM on September 20.
Jha in the notification said the action has been taken to curb rumours after Hardik's detention and to control the law and order situation.
Soon after the 22 year-old leader's detention, Surat district collector issued notification putting ban on mobile internet services for 24 hours.
In Rajkot also, mobile Internet services have been prohibited for a week, said district collector Manisha Chandra.
