File Photo: Members of the Patidar Patel community demanding reservation in education and government jobs in Gandhinagar (PTI)
Opposition Congress today alleged that police committed "atrocities" against innocent people while quelling the violence triggered by detention of Patel community leader Hardik Patel as they were given a "free hand" to do so by state government at the behest of Centre.
The Congress also demanded resignation of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel by showing placards in the Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar on the first day of the three-day monsoon session for "inept" handling of the situation and subsequent violence.
As soon as the session started in afternoon, around 20 Congress MLAs flashed placards and shouted anti-government slogans saying 'curfew government must go...CM must resign'.
The legislators, led by Jamnagar MLA Raghavji Patel, asked Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who was present in the House, to submit her resignation following yesterday's crackdown by police at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad and subsequent violence across the state following brief detention of Hardik Patel.
"Law and order situation has completely collapsed in the state. Thus, our MLAs demanded resignation of this incompetent CM who lacks skill and experience in handling such situation. Her lackadaisical and amateurish approach is responsible for such violence," Leader of Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela told reporters after the session.
He alleged that the Ms Patel was taking orders from Delhi to handle the situation in Gujarat.
"Delhi (Centre) is known for having a mentality of keeping people in constant fear to be in power. Following their (Centre's) diktat, Gujarat government gave a free hand to (police) to crackdown on innocent people. Police broke doors of houses and thrashed women and children in their homes," alleged Mr Vaghela.
He said police are committing atrocities at the behest of government.
"Police are committing atrocities at the behest of government. This is the same community (Patels) who played a key role in electing BJP government here. Now, when they (Patels) are coming on roads to expose the myth behind the development model, police are mercilessly beating them," Mr Vaghela said.
Another senior leader, Shaktisinh Gohil questioned the manner in which Hardik Patel was detained from GMDC ground where he sat on a hunger strike with other members of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
"This is a direction-less government. It should be made public that who actually ordered the police to detain Hardik and lathicharge people. The whole operation by police looked like pre-conceived strategy to incite violence. Gujarat is a laboratory for this government to do experiments," alleged Mr Gohil.