Curfew imposed on western Indian state of Gujarat

Indian authorities Wednesday clamped a curfew on several parts of the western state of Gujarat, following violence after a huge rally by the Patel community Tuesday.

"The curfew has been imposed in three towns of northern Gujarat and some areas of the cities of Surat, Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Rajkot," a senior police official said.

"The central government has sent a huge contingent of para- military personnel to help the state police maintain law and order in areas where curfew has been imposed."

The curfew was imposed after members of the Patel community late last night resorted to arson, stone-pelting and vandalism following brief detention of their 22-year-old leader Hardik Patel.

Patel was detained after he addressed a massive rally, demanding better access to jobs and education for members of the community, where violence broke out following clashes with locals.

Local TV channels reported that the community leader has also called a state-wide shut down Wednesday, which has affected schools, businesses and public transport in Ahmedabad and other parts.

Patels make up 20 percent of the population of Gujarat, also the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod i and a strong bastion of the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Though the caste is economically and politically powerful, they claim quotas for lower castes put them at a disadvantage.

Source: XINHUA