Cops foil attempt to lock down Tata Nano plant, detain 700

Gujarat Police on Thursday foiled a bid to lockdown Tata Nano plant near here by detaining OBC leader Alpesh Thakor and his supporters, who were demanding jobs for local youths in industries in the State.

On Wednesday, Thakor had given a call to lockdown the plant at Sanand GIDC area as part of his agitation against industries which he claimed are not employing local youths.

"Thakor and his around 450 supporters were detained 3km away from the Sanand GIDC," Ahmedabad Rural SP R V Asari said.

"We also detained around 250 people from different parts of the district who were headed to join a rally organised by Thakor. Around 700 people were detained and later let off," he said.

The State Government had deployed a large police force in Sanand and surrounding areas following the threat given by Thakor, Convener of OBC, SC-ST Ekta Manch.