AHMEDABAD:
Army was called in today to help control widespread violence sparked by quota agitation by Patel community in Gujarat which has claimed five lives even as curfew was clamped in major cities and towns in the state.
Notwithstanding appeal to people by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for maintenance of peace, police said Patel community members resorted to arson, stone pelting and vandalising public as well as private properties.
Curfew has been clamped in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Mehasana, Patan, Palanpur, Unjha, Visnagar and Jamnagar.
“Five companies of Army was called in Ahmedabad city to control law and order situation as violence escalated due to the Patel agitation,” Ahmedabad District Collector, Rajkumar Beniwal told media persons.
The Army will conduct flag-march on five routes of the city, where large number of incidents of violence have erupted, Beniwal added. About 5,000 paramilitary personnel were also rushed to Gujarat in the wake of unabated violence.
Four people were killed in police firing, while one died of head injuries during clashes which started from last night, police said.
Out of five deaths, three were reported from Ahmedabad while two were reported from Gadh village of Banaskantha district.
In a televised address in Gujarati, the Prime Minister appealed for calm and emphasised that all issues can be resolved through talks. (AGENCIES)
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