Uneasy calm in violence-hit Gujarat, toll mounts to 10
28 Aug 2015 6:55 AM IST
Notwithstanding appeals for peace by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief MinisterAnandiben Patel, 22-year-old Hardik, who is spearheading the agitation, on Thursday upped the ante asking farmers of his community not to supply essential commodities like vegetables and milk to cities and support the demand for reservation in jobs and education under OBC quota. He also demanded compensation of Rs 35 lakh each for the families of his community members who died in the violence. The issue rocked the Gujarat Assembly while Congress MLAs who tried to raise it were suspended.
The Army, which has been deployed since Wednesday, conducted flag marches in Ahmedabad to instill confidence among the people in the wake of the violence. The Army has been also deployed in Surat and <g data-gr-id="32">Mehasana</g>.
Rail traffic remained totally disrupted on Thursday as protesters have uprooted tracks in at least eight places, a senior official said.
“No untoward incidents were reported from the entire Ahmedabad district on Thursday. Government and private offices, business establishments, shopping complexes and shops remained open,” District Collector Rajkumar Beniwal told reporters.
“(Road) traffic is normal as well. <g data-gr-id="28">Situation</g> is under control and peace is prevailing in the city.” Beniwal said five companies of Army (over 500 personnel) conducted flag march in the areas worst affected by the violence.
Curfew has been lifted from Surat city after no untoward incident was reported from there since Wednesday night.
If the Gujarat model of inclusive development is such a success, why have so many protesters demanding a share of that progress died- Omar Abdullah, National conference leader.
Our Prime Minister is doing politics of anger and such politics has repercussions for the country which you are seeing in Gujarat- Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice-president
CCTV shows police violence during stir, HC seeks report
Taking strong note of CCTV footage showing policemen vandalising cars, Gujarat High Court on Thursday ordered the police commissioner to conduct a probe and submit a report within two weeks into allegations that policemen opened fire in air and damaged property to create terror during Patel community quota stir. "CCTV footage shows the police is involved in damaging private <g data-gr-id="44">property,</g> if police <g data-gr-id="42">does</g> so... what is the difference between rioters and protectors," asked the High Court. It was hearing a plea filed by a city-based lawyer Virat Popat.
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