Five people were reportedly killed in Gujarat in violence which erupted on Tuesday evening as the unrest spread across the state following clashes between the members of Patel community and security forces. Army was called in to control the violence, sparked by the agitation seeking reservation to Patel community.

According to a PTI report, out of five deaths, three were reported from Ahmedabad. Two others were reportedly died in Gadh village of Banaskantha district.

Curfew was imposed in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Palanpur, Mehasana, Patan, Visnagar, Jamnagar and Unjha.

Violence broke out following the arrest of Hardik Patel--the leader of Patidar community spearheading the campaign for reservation in government jobs and admission to government institutions under the OBC quota.

Violence in the state escalated on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, forcing the Centre to rush 5,000 paramilitary personnel to Gujarat. Later, five companies of army were also sent to Ahmedabad to control the situation.

"Five companies of army was called in Ahmedabad city to control law and order situation as violence escalated due to the Patel agitation," PTI quoted Ahmedabad district collector Rajkumar Beniwal as saying.

Protesters had resorted to arson, vandalism and stone pelting in several parts of Gujarat, including Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Surat. They torched several vehicles.

Hardik Patel had called for a "Gujarat bandh" through a Whatsapp message on Tuesday night after being released from police custody.

Schools and colleges remained closed on Wednesday. According to a report by NDTV, the educational institutions will remain closed tomorrow in Ahmedabad on Thursday as well.

PM's appeal for peace
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for peace in Gujarat, through a video message released on Wednesday wherein he addressed the state's residents in Gujarati.

"I request everyone to maintain peace, violence benefits no one," Modi said in the two-minute video posted on the official PMO Twitter account. 

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