Surat

Surat Police has started the process of identifying the culprits of Patidar rampage through CCTV camera footage. Surat city has one of the best CCTV camera networks in place in the country. Though rioters had broken several CCTV camera poles, the visuals of moments they broke the cameras are recorded and available to police. According to city police commissioner Rakesh Asthana, such elements will be identified and they will face actions.

Police didn’t deny possibility that anti-social elements could have taken benefit of Patidar rampage to target bank, ATM and shops.

Surat police has filed more than 40 complaints in connection with Patidar violence.

According to city police commissioner, the city has about 3200 cops, of which about 800 were sent to Ahmedabad for bandobast in Patidar maha rally. When riot broke out in the evening, the city had availability of only 1500-2000 cops. On the other hand thousands of people from Patidar dominated areas of Sarthana, Kapodra, Varachha, Katargam chowk, Udhna, Limbayat and Pandesara areas were on road. The violence broke out late in the evening in dark in the areas that have no history of such violence.

Surat Police has shortage of 19 police inspectors, as some of the police inspectors were recently promoted to higher rank of Assistance Police Commissioner(ACP). Two police inspectors were injured during Patidar violence. One Lok Rakshak Dal constable was killed during two days period of violence.