Police, Patidar community clash in Mehsana, curfew imposed

Pic Courtesy: ANI

Surat: The Patidar community on Sunday held demonstrations in various parts of the state demanding release of their leader Hardik Patel from the jail.

The Patidars launched 'Jail Bharo Andolan' in the state and shouted slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of the state.

According to reports, thousands of protesters came out on the streets in Patel-dominated regions of Ahmedabad and Mehsana and demanded that the Gujarat Police put them behind the bars till the time their leader Hardik Patel is not released from the jail.

As per the reports, the protest soon led to clash between police and Patidar community with cops finally using tear gas shells to control the mob at Varachha Road in Surat. Several agitators have been taken into detention.

22-year-old Hardik, the Patidar quota agitation leader,  was arrested on sedition and waging war against the state charges, in October last year and has been behind bars since then.

The Patels have demanded a reservation of 10 per cent in education institutions and governmental jobs. However, the state government has cited the 49 per cent reservation cap imposed by Supreme Court, as the reason behind declining their demand.