Ahead of the inauguration of SAUNI project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, more than 25 members of Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) were today detained from different parts of Rajkot and the district to prevent any trouble at the event.
The PAAS members as well as conveners were detained by Paddhari and Gandhigram police of Rajkot while several others were detained by Dhrol taluka police of Jamnagar district.
"We detained at least five PAAS members this morning as they were heading towards Sanosara to stage demonstrations. We also learnt that some others have been detained by officials from other police stations of Rajkot and Jamangar this morning," said sub inspector of Paddhari police station of Rajkot.
Yesterday, PAAS had threatened to stage protest against Modi during his Gujarat visit if the members of the quota body were not granted permission to hand over a memorandum of their demands to the PM at the venue.
According to the spokesperson of PAAS, Brijesh Patel, all the key PAAS conveners have been detained by police ahead of the event.
"Those who have been detained include Rajkot district convener Dilip Savaliya, Rajkot city convener Hemang Patel, co-convener of Morbi Manoj Kalariya and several others. We condemn such police action against us," he said, adding that other members would try to stage protests in absence of their senior fellows.
Published 30 August 2016, 08:23 IST