AMN /
AHMEDABAD: At least three people have been killed allegedly in police firing since last night as protesters clashed with the police in parts of Gujarat after the brief detention of 21-year-old Hardik Patel. The Army has been called in to restore law and order in Ahmedabad.
Two people were reportedly killed in clashes last night in the Vastral area of Ahmedabad. One person died today in Palanpur in north Gujarat, about 14
5 km from Ahmedabad.
There is a curfew in several parts of Ahmedabad, where the Army is expected to hold flag marches. Curfew has also been imposed in Surat, which is tense after incidents of arson and clashes this morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for calm in Gujarat. “Violence does not benefit anybody,” the PM said in an appeal on television, adding, “We must work together to solve problems through talks.”
Hardik Patel was detained briefly by the Ahmedabad police last night. He is leading a movement by the powerful Patel or Patedar caste that wants reservation in government jobs and colleges.