Ahmedabad bandh today, Gujarat tense after violence
As Hardik called for a shutdown in Gujarat on Wednesday, schools and colleges are closed in Ahmedabad.
However, no violence was reported on Wednesday after the incidents of late last night when state-run buses were burnt, government offices ransacked and clashes took place in parts of the state capital.
Curfew was declared in nine police station areas of Ahmedabad after incidents of arson and stone-throwing, allegedly by enraged supporters of Hardik Patel.
Elsewhere in the state parts of Surat and Mehsana district have been curfew-bound.
Paramilitary forces have been deployed and the Union Home Ministry has said it is in constant touch with the state government.
Internet services on mobile phones have been suspended across the state to check the spread of rumours through Whatsapp and SMS.
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has appealed for calm. She also said that she has ordered an inquiry into police action at the venue of Hardik Patel's rally last night which triggered the violence across the state.
At about 9 pm on Tuesday, the police lathi-charged a large crowd still present at the GMDC ground in Ahmedabad, where Hardik Patel had led a mega-rally in support of the demand for reservation in government jobs and colleges for members of the Patel community..
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