Patel row: Army conducts flag march in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Aug 26: Army today conducted flag march on five different routes in the city in order to instil confidence among the people in the wake of violence triggered by the quota agitation by the Patel community.

"At least five companies of Army today conducted flag-march on five different routes and covered all those areas where violence was reported yesterday," Ahmedbad District Collector Rajkumar Beniwal told PTI.

While one company conducted flag march in Chandkheda, RTO Circle and Gandhi Ashram areas, another flag march was conducted at Bakrol Circle, Vastral Circle, Nikol, Bapa Sitaram Chowk, Sardar Chowk and Thakkarbapa Nagar route in eastern part of the city.

The third flag-march was held at Shivranjani, IIM Circle, Helmet and Sola High Court areas in western part of the city, Beniwal said.

The fourth company led flag-march in Shahibaugh, Ghevar Circle, Saraspur, CTM and Ghoda Circle areas, he said, adding that the fifth flag march was held in Vastral, Rajendra Park, Hiravadi, Memco and Meghaninagar areas.

The Collector said every company of Army comprised 150 personnel. Curfew has been clamped under Ramol, Nikol, Bapu Nagar, Ghatlodia, Odhav, Naranpura, Naroda, Krishna Nagar and Vadaj police station limits in the city following violence and clashes yesterday.

The army was roped in today to help control the widespread violence sparked by the quota agitation which has claimed six lives even as curfew was clamped in major cities and towns in the state. About 5,000 paramilitary personnel were also rushed to Gujarat in the wake of unabated violence.

PTI