Centre rushes paramilitary troops to Gujarat; Rajnath speaks to CM

New Delhi, Aug 26: About 5,000 paramilitary personnel were today rushed to Gujarat in the wake of violence in several cities during agitation for quota by Patel community.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel this morning and assured her of full central help to tackle the situation.

About 5,000 personnel of Rapid Action Force, CRPF and BSF have been sent to assist the local administration in maintaining law and order, especially in all curfew bound areas.

"The Home Ministry is in constant touch with the Gujarat government and additional forces have been rushed as requested by the state government," a senior official said.

The prompt central government action came considering that Gujarat has witnessed many communal clashes in the past, the official said.

Members of Patel community last night resorted to arson, stone-pelting and vandalism after brief detention of their 22-year-old leader Hardik Patel, following which curfew was imposed in three towns of North Gujarat and some areas of Surat.

As the news of detention of Patel spread, violence broke out in Ahmedabad and later spread to other cities like Surat, Mehsana, Rajkot and some interior areas of the state. He was later released. Patel has called for a state-wide bandh today to press their demand for reservation.

PTI