Mild response to Patel bandh

Youth leader ‘commits suicide’

The Gujarat bandh call given by Patel quota agitators failed to evoke much response in the state and passed off peacefully barring in Mehsana, where a mob torched a minister’s vacant house.

A state committee of ministers, formed to negotiate with the quota agitators, held a “fruitful and positive” meeting in Gandhinagar over the demands with several leaders of the Patel community, who are working as mediators. Another round of talks will soon be held to arrive at a solution.

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old Patel youth, who was actively involved in the quota agitation here, ended his life allegedly by consuming poisonous substance “out of shock” upon learning about police action against Patel quota leaders in Mehsana, claimed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leaders. However, the police said it is a matter of investigation on why the young man committed suicide. Bhavin Khunt, 27, who was associated with quota body PAAS in the city, committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance at his residence in Puna Gam area here Sunday evening, said Surat PAAS convenor Nikhil Savani.

The police had made elaborate security arrangements in view of the state-wide bandh call given by the Sardar Patel Group demanding reservation and immediate release of their jailed leaders. Schools, colleges, public transport and the normal life were not affected by the bandh call. “No major incident took place today. We have deployed adequate number of policemen and paramilitary forces across Gujarat today to ensure safety and security of citizens,” DGP in-charge P.P. Pandey said. Barring a few minor incidents, the situation remained calm throughout the day, he said.

The curfew, imposed Sunday in Mehsana town after violent clashes between protesters and the police, was lifted Monday morning and the bandh call largely went off peacefully, although Gujarat minister of state for home Rajni Patel’s vacant home in Mehsana town was set on fire by the Patel agitators, the police said.

“Unidentified men stormed into the empty house and set ablaze the furniture and other belongings. The mob also hurled stones on fire tenders trying to reach there. This is the same house which was set on fire in August last year during agitation related violence,” said an official of control room. According to the police, Mr Patel has his official house in Gandhinagar, but sometimes visits his Mehsana residence.