Day after elderly man assaulted, Patidar community members from Surat visit Bhavnagar

Vallabhipur police arrested one of the accused, Raju Ulva, on Friday. Police said a hunt has been launched for two other accused – Natha Rabari and Mamaiya Rabari.

Talking to The Indian Express, Vallabhipur police inspector H B Chauhan said, “We have registered a case against three accused youths, who are also residents of the same village.”

“We have also deployed police in the village to prevent any untoward incidents. Lidiya has been staying with his wife while his sons work in Surat,” Chauhan said.

The Patidar community members from Surat made a representation to Range IGP (Inspector General of Police) Gautam Parmar and demanded stern action against the accused.

On Friday morning, they met Lidiya at the hospital. Later in the evening, the Patidar community members, who travelled around 340 km from Surat to Bhavnagar, held a meeting in the village. The meeting was attended by Patidar community members from neighbouring villages also.

Talking to The Indian Express, Patidar Sewa Sangh Surat president Vijay Mangukiya said, “A large number of Patidar community members from Saurashtra region settled in Surat to earn a livelihood, leaving behind their elderly parents in their villages. We urged the Range IGP to take stern action against the accused in such attacks.”

After a video of the incident went viral, Patidar community leaders had called a meeting in a private farm in Surat on Thursday night. The meeting was attended by former Patidar Anamat Andolan Samithi leader Alpesh Katheriya, Vijay Mangukiya, Abhi Kalathiya, Surat convenor of Sardar Dham Ashok Adhewal and others.

After the meeting, a large number of Patidar youths and community leaders left Surat for Bhavnagar.

“In the meeting held in Kalatalav village on Friday afternoon, a large number of Patidar community members attended. We told them that the Patidar Sewa Sangh is with them to help and support,” Mangukiya said.