PM Modi takes the video route to appeal for calm in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD, INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has uploaded a video on Twitter to to make an appeal to the people of Gujarat to remain calm.

Curfew was imposed in several places in Gujarat following bouts of agitation and violence that rocked the state on Tuesday night over a brief detention of  22-year-old Hardik Patel, who has been demanding OBC reservation status for the Patel or Patidar community in the state.

Hardik in a late night message on Whastapp called for a statewide bandh today, mentioning that the decision has been taken by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti considering widespread violence in the state.

It is reported that WhatsApp has been the preferred tool of communication for the supporters of Hardik.

As a counter measure, instant messaging services on mobile such as WhatsApp have been suspended in several parts of Gujarat to keep the situation in check.

Besides the deployment of State Reserve Police, paramilitary forces were also rushed to Gujarat today following Union Minister Rajnath Singh's assurance of support to the Gujarat government.