Confrontation likely at Dandi on Sunday with Patidar leaders determined to take out rally

PAAS has threatened to “break the law like Gandhi did” if their peaceful march was not granted permission and carry out the march and garner support along the way. The rally was earlier due for September 6 but was not granted permission.

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Superintendent of police of Navsari district, M S Bharada said, “Everything is well planned and depending upon the situation we will take action. We will definitely arrest Hardik and other leaders who will take out rally.”

Companies of CRPF, BSF and SRP had been deployed at various destinations to control law and order in the entire area. The PAAS has claimed that over 2 lakh people will join the rally from Dandi and Eru crossroads in Navsari district on Sunday morning.

The PAAS has been meeting community residents over the last week urging them to join the march. The PAAS co-convenor Dharmik Malavya said, “We are hoping that over 2 lakh to 3 lakh people from Surat and other parts of the state will join the Dandi march. Over 70 people, all committee members of PAAS including Hardik Patel will remain present nearby Saifee Villa in Dandi village while a majority of the Patidar Patel will wait at Eru crossroads. After Patidar rally reaches to Eru, a large number of Patidars including elders and children will join and the rally and proceed to different areas in Navsari. Our rally will be welcomed by people from different communities like Brahmins, Rajputs, Patil, and Muslim will remain present at different locations in Navsari district. We all are prepared for the worst”.

Navsari District collector Remaya Mohan said, “We have decided not to give permission to take out the rally to PAAS leaders, Pratikar leaders and Anamat Bachao Samiti, keeping in mind law and order situation. We have also put ban on the internet services in Navsari district from Saturday midnight onwards, for 24 hours, to maintain peace in the district. Section 144 has been imposed in the district prohibiting a gathering of more than four persons”.

Strict security cover had been deployed on Dandi to Gandhi Smurti railway crossing route and even other areas in Navsari district. A large chunk of security staffers including 3 Superintendent of police, 9 Deputy superintendent of police, 38 police inspectors, 94 Police sub-inspectors including women, 1156 policemen including women, 2 companies each of SRP, CRPF and BSF had been deployed at different locations in Navsari and especially at Dandi to Gandhi Railway crossing route.

Navsari District Superintendent of police M S Bharada said, “We have deployed barricades at different junctions on 18 km route from Dandi to Eru and even on the main road at Gandhi Smurti railway crossing. We don’t want any untoward incidents to happen in the district as a result of which we have also talked to Pratikar rally people and even to Anamat Bachao Samithi leaders not to come out. No permission is given to take out the rally and we will take strict actions against those who take out rally. We have also made arrangements to keep those people detained from the spot. We have done rehearsal of entire incident keeping in mind what will happen and what not. Our police staffers will be armed with canes and guns and we have deployed videographers to capture entire incident. WE have also made arrangements of water cannons to disperse the mob.”