Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Gujarat CM on Mehsana clashes

New Delhi: In the wake of reports of clashes in Mehsana town, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday called up Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who apprised him on the prevailing situation there.

During the telephonic talk, the Home Minister took stock of the situation in Gujarat's Mehsana district, where clashes broke out between protesters. Patel informed Singh about the steps being taken by the state government to control the situation and maintain peace, official sources said.

Curfew was on Sunday clamped in Mehsana town in Gujarat and mobile internet service banned as a massive rally of the Patel community demanding reservation and immediate release of their jailed leaders turned violent with two buildings being set ablaze and some police vehicles damaged.

A godown of Food Corporation of India and a district office were set on fire, police said, adding 15 persons have been detained in this connection. Five policemen and two officials sustained injuries in the incidents, police said while agitators claimed that 25 of their supporters were injured in police action.

Patel protesters had gathered at Modhera crossroad as part of the 'Jail Bharo' agitation announced by the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), one of the prominent groups seeking OBC status.

The incident brought fears of a revival of the Patel community's quota agitation. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that some information from Gujarat has come but the Central Government was awaiting for a detail report. "The Gujarat government is acting on it." he said.