Police clear a railway track that was blocked by the agitating Patel community in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. (Press Trust of India photo)
The Army has been asked to help restore law and order in Ahmedabad, where violence and arson was reported overnight in some parts over Hardik Patel's campaign demanding government jobs and college places for the powerful Patel caste.
Five columns of soldiers will hold flag marches in different parts of the city to signal they are on guard against new violence. Each column of the Army has about 50 to 60 soldiers.
The Centre deployed paramilitary forces this morning to help the state government. Though Ahmedabad has been largely calm today, nearby Surat is simmering with reports of clashes in sections of the city. Parts of the state are under curfew. The city of Mehsana and the towns of Unjha and Visnagar have also reported violence.
In a television appeal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this morning, "I appeal to the people of Gujarat to maintain peace. Violence will never achieve anything."
At least half a million members of the Patedar or Patel community rallied yesterday in the heart of Ahmedabad around Hardik Patel, who is 21, as he demanded changes in policy that would allow them to qualify for "reserved" categories of caste.
When he was briefly detained last night, clashes erupted. More than 100 buses have been set on fire and public property has been vandalized. Offices, shops, schools and colleges in Ahmedabad are closed today, in part because of a bandh or strike called by Hardik Patel, who said his is "a non-violent movement that will intensify in coming days".
The Patels have been a driving force in the Gujarat economy, dominating the diamond trade, oil processing and textiles. But they say that caste-based reservations deprive them of opportunities and want affirmative action to apply to them as well.