‘Ekta Yatra’ not flop, will hold more rallies across Gujarat: Hardik Patel

Control room officers in Junagadh, Amreli, Morbi, Anand, Patan and Mahisagar districts introduced the lifting of the curb.

“I have requested the heads of police throughout Gujarat to take a name on lifting the ban (on cellular internet) in the event that they discover it appropriate as per the regulation and order state of affairs in their areas”, Thakur had stated. “Thus I order to raise the ban, efficient from 4 PM”, said the notification.

The Patel-dominant villages have banned the entry of politicians in their societies and their leaders are pressing the community members to use NOTA (none of the above) option while voting in the forthcoming civic polls.

Hardik, the 22-year-old convener of Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti, who has been spearheading the agitation for reservation to Gujarat’s Patel community under Other Backward Class (OBC) category, had yesterday said he will approach the people who are opposing his movement. On the other hand, the main opposition Congress, which had earlier condemned the alleged police atrocities against the agitating Patel community members, has not made its stand clear as to whether it is for or against the Patel quota reservation.

“We have determined to proceed the ban (in Mehsana district) until tomorrow”. The protestors demanded that the state and central government take action against the police officers responsible for the killing of eight Patidar youths. However, the state of affairs there remained calm at the moment.

Apprehending a potential law and order situation, Surat Police detained Patidars leader Hardik Patel and at least 50 of his supporters when they attempted to launch an “Ekta Rally” here yesterday morning, officials said.

The protests were curbed immediately by police.

“A few incidents of sporadic violence were reported in Ramol, Nikol and Bapunagar area but those were not serious in the nature”, DCP Sweta Shrimali told PTI.