Patel agitators call for Gujarat bandh today; curfew lifted from Mehsana

Ahmedabad: In wake of the violence that erupted in parts of Gujarat following a massive Patel community rally in Mehsana and Monday's 'Gujarat Bandh' call given by some Patel organisations, the state government deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Surat and stepped up security in others places. Gujarat Chief Secretary G R Aloria said five companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in these three cities. In addition, 20 companies of the State Reserve Police (SRP) have also been posted across the state. The Sardar Patel Group (SPG) as well as Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) have given a call for 'Gujarat Bandh' today. "Apart from regular police force, we have deployed two companies of RAF at Ahmedabad and Mehasana each and one company at Surat. If needed, we may ask the Centre to allot 10 more companies of RAF to handle the situation," Aloria said after holding a review meet with top officials late evening. Section 144 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance of apprehended danger) of the Code of Criminal Procedure which was imposed in Gujarat's Mehsana on Sunday has been lifted. The Section was imposed after a clash broke out between the police and members of Patidar community during their 'Jail Bharo Andolan', demanding release of their leader Hardik Patel. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) has called for a shutdown in Gujarat on Monday. "Section 144 has been imposed and Internet services suspended till April 19 in Mehsana. The protesters attempted to set two government properties on fire, pelted stones and set an SDM's vehicle on fire, which prompted the police to use tear gas shells," Mehsana Collector Lochan Sehra told ANI yesterday. Meanwhile, two companies of the State Reserve Police in Valsad, one each in Navsari, Surat rural and six in Surat city have been deployed. Around 100 police personnel have also been deployed in Surat's Dang district.