Violence had broken out in some parts of Ahmedabad and Surat after the agitation by the Patel community seeking reservation under OBC quota turned violent on Tuesday. The situation escalated around evening after the police took Hardik Patel, the convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, into custody. [Read More - Gujarat: 3 Killed in Ahmedabad Violence After Hardik Patel Arrest]

By the time he was released, the violence had spread to several parts of Gujarat.

According to a PTI report, clashes were reported in Vadaj, Vastrapur, Nikol and Paldi areas of Ahmedabad. The police lathi-charged the agitators and lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation.

[Also Read: LIVE Blog on Gujarat Curfew: Fresh Clashes Break Out in Ahmedabad, Surat]

Clashes erupted after some youths of the Patel community reportedly tried to impose a shutdown in these areas on the orders of their leader Hardik Patel, following the mega rally at the GMDC ground.

Stone pelting was reported in Vadaj area after the Patel community members tried to enforce the bandh. "Police lobbed a tear-gas shell and also baton-charged crowd when two groups of Patels and dalits clashed with each other," PTI quoted police inspector DR Dhamal of city control room as saying.

Also Read:  27 Trains Fully or Partially Cancelled, 5 Diverted [Full List] 

The Patel community youths have been accused of vandalising shops and buses in several areas.

The rioters reportedly burned down four buses in the city. Protesters burned down two government vehicles in Surat. Policemen were attacked in Kapodra area of the city. 

Unconfirmed social media reports claim the rioters in Ahmedabad also burned down a police post. Several trains to Ahmedabad junction were stopped at Chandolodia.

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ahmedabad. A curfew has been imposed in both Surat and Ahmedabad. According to a DNA report, Section 144 was imposed in areas under Kapodra Police Station and Sarthana Police Station in Surat on Tuesday night.

Indian Express reported that after widespread incidents of violence across Gujarat, curfew was imposed in Mehsana city and the towns of Unjha and Visnagar in the district on the orders of the Mehsana collector.

Incidents of violence were also reported in Rajkot.

Earlier in the day, Hardik Patel accused the police of wrongfully beating up the protesters. 

"The police have done wrong by beating protesters of the Patel community in Paldi and Mansi cross road in Vastrapur. They were taking out rally peacefully, when the police resorted to lathi-charge. The government should now be ready to face the worst result," Patel told PTI.

Local resident GK Patel, who works with an MNC in Gandhinagar, told IBTimes India that the police "deliberately" targeted the protesting youth, after which the peaceful agitation turned violent.

Also read: Gujarat Patel Rally

Hardik Patel has suddenly become the face of the community in Gujarat, a BJP stronghold and home ground of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier in the day, addressing the "Patels or Patedars" -- who are one of Gujarat's most affluent and influential castes -- the social activist threatened to wipe out the BJP from Gujarat.

"In the next (Gujarat) election in 2017, the lotus (BJP symbol) will not bloom if our needs are not met," he said at a crowded public ground, where around 20,000 security personnel were deployed, NDTV reported.

Twitter Updates

Khushboo Devpura ‏@KhushbooDevpura

@narendramodi sir, we badly need you here in Ahmedabad! No one can rip apart peace from #ModiNuGujarat #Hope #peace

Parth Pandya ‏@parth_utters

Ahmedabad on fire. "Again". *runs away*

Zyda Hoshyar !! ‏@OyeBharat

Do we need terrorist after seeing situation in #surat and #Ahmedabad #Gujarat

Countryman ‏@vastavikbharat

@dhaval241086 Never seen a worst situation in Ahmedabad for last 13 years. It is getting abominable.

Targaryen ‏@WoodyGats

Lets keep photos and vids to ourselves. #ahmedabad #NoShare

अच्छे दिन आने वालेहै ‏@AcheDinAaneWale

Arson in Ahmedabad and Surat After Hardik Patel's Detention

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