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PM Modi appeals for peace in Gujarat as violence continues

by IBNS 26 Aug 2015, 10:28 am

New Delhi, Aug 26 (IBNS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed for peace in Gujarat, which witnessed violence since Tuesday night violence following the brief detention of 21-year-old Hardik Patel who led a massive rally in Ahmedabad demanding reservation for the Patel community.

"Violence does not benefit anybody," the Prime Minister said in an appeal on television.

There have been fresh clashes in parts of Ahmedabad, which is under curfew after clashes and cases of arson and stone-throwing late Tuesday night.

Speaking to NDTV, Hardik Patel said his movement is non-violent and would intensify. "If anything goes wrong, it will be the government's fault," he said.

Hardik Patel had called for a bandh in Gujarat in a late night message on WhatsApp, in which he said, "I make an appeal to maintain peace and keep calm."

Internet services on mobile phones have been suspended in some parts of Gujarat. Schools and colleges are closed today in Ahmedabad. 
There is curfew in some parts of Surat and in Mehsana in north Gujarat too. An incident of stone throwing was reported in Surat on Wednesday morning.

State-run buses have been burnt and government offices have been ransacked in these cities. Incidents of arson were also reported from Rajkot, about 200 kilometres from Ahmedabad.

The Centre has despatched about 5,000 paramilitary personnel to Gujarat while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the state's  Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Wednesday morning on the situation.
this morning, assuring her of all help to tackle the situation, news agency Press Trust of India reported.