Gujarat’s Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel arrested just as he entered Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday on his way to violence-hit Mandsaur to meet family members of those killed in the police firing during a farmers agitation in the western part of the state on June 6.
Patel stopped at Nayagaon toll collection booth on Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border; his convoy included 20 vehicles and at least 150 people.Heavy deployment of police at the Nayagaon barrier to prevent the entry of Patel, who had announced his plans earlier. Patel and four aides were detained while the rest were turned away by the mild force of the police. Late he was released on bail and escorted to the Rajasthan side of the border. Akhilesh Katiyar, Patel Navnirman Sena General Secretary said that Hardik Patel left for Mandsuar to meet the kin deceased farmers and some farmer leaders of the Patidar community.
It may be noted that four out of the five farmers killed belong to the Patidar Community, the Patidar leader said that he was attempting to meet his community members who are being falsely implicated by the state government and accused the chief minister’s fast as a gimmick because when the farmers are being killed during a peaceful protest, he observing fast. Before being arrested under section 151 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) he warns the state government that if they hesitate or unable to take action, the farmers of the state will revolt. He had immediately denounced the police action.
After he has detained without any reason at Madhya Pradesh, he said that the state government is behaving like a dictator. He also added that he is not a terrorist, but as an Indian citizen, he can freely go any place in India. He also claimed that the Patidars are at the receiving end of police atrocities in the BJP(Bharatiya Janta Party)-ruled Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and members of his community are in trouble once again.
District Magistrate O.P. Shrivastava said that “Hardik Patel, the face of Patidar agitation in Gujarat neither sought permission to visit Mandsuar, nor was he allowed by the administration. That’s why he was not allowed to Mandsuar”. However, Curfew has lifted from the area but prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) are still in place across the district. A number of prominent politicians have made a beeline for the epicenter of last week’s violent farmers’ agitation in Mandsuar, including Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia is also on his way to the spot. The administration feels that Patel’s visit in Patidar dominated areas of Mandsuar might churn sentiments and spark violence.
