More than 600 detained in Gujarat bandh

Ahmedabad, Sept 6: More than 600 people, including Congress leaders and workers, were detained during the bandh called by the party to press its demand for the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister

, over IPS officer D G 's letter. Security all across the state has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incidence, police said.

Congress workers were out on the streets to enforce the shut down, which has evoked a mixed response in the state. The party workers and supporters tried to stop buses and trains form commuting here, but police detained them. Officials said that schools and colleges in most parts of the state were functioning as usual. But in the old city in Ahmedabad, Vadaj and some eastern parts, 80 per cent establishments were closed early morning. In Vadodara, the bandh call evoked mix response in the morning while police detained Congress leaders and supporters who were trying to close business establishments in Mandvi, Karolia, Sama, Karelibaug and Pratapganj areas in the city.

More than 600 people, including Cong leaders and workers, were detained.

Over 60,000 police and other security personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order situation in the wake of bandh call. Twenty-four State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and six Rapid Action Force (RAF) battalions have been directed to be on alert to assist state police.. Crime Branch personnel have also been directed in every city to maintain vigil in sensitive areas. But police said that till now they haven't received any reports of untoward incidents of violence. According to reports coming from different cities and district headquarters, police detained several Congress leaders and workers, who came out in support of the bandh.

The Congress gave the bandh call demanding resignation of the chief minister after a letter by suspended IPS officer Vanzara slammed Modi and former minister of state for Home Amit Shah. In his explosive resignation letter, Vanzara claimed that he and his men were merely implementing the conscious policy of 'zero tolerance' towards terrorism of the state government. Vanzara, who is a prime accused in four encounter cases, also said that, "place of this government instead of being in Gandhinagar, should either be in Taloja central prison at Navi Mumbai or in Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad."

PTI