Partial bandh in Muslims populated areas to protest CAA; a cop minorly injured in stone pelting outside a mosque in Limbayat area of Surat

Gandhinagar: Shops and markets in Muslim populated areas in some cities and towns in the State remained partially closed today, protesting Citizenship Amendment Act passed by both houses of parliament and not stayed by the Supreme Court when challenged. The Act proposes to give citizenship of India to persecuted minority community refugees from three neighboring Islamic countries – Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have settled in India before start of year 2015.

Muslim localities such as Juhapura in Ahmedabad, Limbayat in Surat, Western areas of Bharuch, Muslim populated areas in small towns such as Kapadvanj observed impact of bandh today.

There was an incident of stone pelting in Limbayat area of Surat in the morning. According to police, a crowd of Muslims had gathered outside Madina mosque in Limbayat area. One police man was minorly injured due to stone pelted from that crowd. According to Joint Commissioner of Police, responsible for this area, patrolling was on and situation was in control. Shops in this area remained closed and shop keepers and locals were in the street gathered at various spots. Police men were wearing helmets and ready with tear gas and sticks. However no untoward incident happened after morning incident of stone pelting.

Commenting on stone pelting incident in Limbayat, Navsari Lok Sabha MP of BJP CR Patil said, ‘Limbayat witnessed a Kashmir style stone pelting with rioters covering their faces using handkerchief targetting police men. Such attempt to disturb peace of Surat city and create fear can not be tolerated. I appeal for peace.’

Around two dozen cadres of ultra organization BAMSEF were detained from Dholka – Kalikund as they were blocking the traffic on Pirana – Bavla – Bagodra highway in Ahmedabad district.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) was seen deployed in Muslim populated areas of city as precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

This is third bandh call after passing of Citizenship Amendment Act in parliament that has found support in portion of Muslim areas in the State.

In the month of December, the State saw violence in specific localities of Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Chhapi (near Palanpur) in the course of CAA protests. Several police men were injured in this violence.

A sit in protest is going on in private residential society in Muslims populated locality of Rakhial area for last few days.

Barring some placard protests (total 5 to 10 in number) by foreign aided NGO operators, communist party’s students cadre and Muslims, the State has not seen much significant activities against CAA.

Police has imposed section 144 in Ahmedabad, however permission to peaceful protests is granted. Such placard protests, mostly outside IIM Ahmedabad and Gandhi Ashram see presence of 100 to 200 persons.

Police had turned down a proposal to grant permission for protest in Muslims populated Jamalpur area. The organizers had challenged this decision in the High Court. However later the plea was withdrawn.

DeshGujarat