Mahesana: Mahesana bandh call given by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) evoked poor response today morning, but around noon, the groups of Congress workers were seen on the roads forcing the shopkeepers to join the strike. Stones were pelted on local civic body office as it was functional disrespecting the strike call. Congress leaders Siddharth Patel and Babu Mangukia among others rushed to Mahesana in order to give Patidat caste touch to alleged custodial death. PAAS leader Hardik Patel who is out on bail as per the court order is not allowed to enter the limits of Mahesana district. He today issued a threat to enter the district by force. The strike call which evoked poor response in the morning caught momentum late in afternoon, but only after efforts employed by some groups who were roaming with sticks in hands. The strike call was given following the death of a Patidar community youth Ketan Patel allegedly in police custody. Ketan was accused of small theft. On complaint filed by one Bharat Barot police had nabbed him and sent him to sub jail as per court order. As per police version, Ketan was shifted to hospital due to poor health where he died. However victim’s relatives believe he was dead due to police atrocity. Prima facie report of postmortem of victim which was out today afternoon doesn’t mention the reason of death but indicates 39 injury marks on victim’s body. Mahesana police today told media persons that as per year 2006 guideline, the probe into Ketan Patel’s death will be conducted by Chief Judicial Magistrate and therefore all complains and representations related to this case should be made before district magistrate now onward. Relatives of victim are refusing to receive dead body of Ketan Patel as of now as they demand FIR against Bharat Barot who had made allegation of theft against Ketan Patel. Congress leader Mangukia who was here to give the incident ‘Patidar community’ touch sought re postmortem in presence of experts nominated by people. Congress leader Siddharth Patel too demanded the same. Congress has meanwhile declared strike in entire north Gujarat tomorrow. The strike call today was limited to only Mahesana and Visnagar towns of north Gujarat. This announcement was made by Siddharth Patel himself. Gujarat government has meanwhile fielded IG Subhash Trivedi in Mahesana and deployed SRP force to maintain law and order.

Nitin Patel speaks to media persons in Gandhinagar

Mahesana MLA and state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said, Ketan Patel was sent to sub jail as per court order. When his health deteriorated he was admitted to civil hospital where he died. His family has alleged that Ketan Patel died due to police atrocity. In order to probe the allegations, the state government had through police asked relatives to allow postmortem. The family gave consent for postmortem which was concluded today morning by a panel of doctors with video recording. The first report is out regarding the external marks, while the report on internal injury will come from Forensic Science Laboratory.

Nitinbhai further said, ‘today morning after the State cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, MoS(Home) Jadeja and I myself discussed the issue in length. We spoke to State DGP, Mahesana police officials, law secretary and others after postmortem report indicated external injury marks. The relatives were seeking FIR and the government has accepted the demand. Home ministry has given its approval and asked Mahesana DSP that FIR from a relative of Ketan Patel should be accepted and procedures should follow. We are in contact with victim’s relatives over phone calls. We have discussed the matter with them. MoS Home has also spoken to them. After coordinating the things we have already issued instructions to file FIR in this case. If relatives are ready to file FIR, police will do the procedures accordingly.’

He said, ‘as per the order by Supreme Court, a death in jail is not treated like a death in police custody. Prison is actually a judicial custody and therefore the district judge will probe this death. Mahesana chief judicial magistrate will probe the case. After the probe he will give report to sessions judge. Sessions judges will do all necessary procedures. On one hand there will be FIR in police station and on the other hand as per the supreme court guideline, the sessions judge inquiry has been initiated. District’s top judge is going to do impartial probe. government will extend all cooperation and as per the court order, all action will be taken by government in this case.’

Nitinbhai said ‘there has been no untoward incident today in Mahesana following bandh call. People of Mahesana are seeking legal way out in this case. Police patrolling and other security arrangements are in place.’

Nitinbhai further said, ‘this entire episode is very sad. For a small amount of theft, Ketanbhai was held. The state government condemns what happened. We are all in constant contact with victim’s relatives. Some politically motivated vested interest groups the have been active since yesterday. They are outside people, they have nothing to do with Mahesana or the victim. They have started a movement to take political advantage of this sad incident. People from some organization and some party have reached there. They are provoking people. Instead of connecting the relatives to the government for smooth way out, Congress people are giving political touch to this incident and trying to provoke the people which is sad and worth condemning move. Congress people have done the same in the past too. They have put aside humanity and playing vote bank politics. Entire Gujarat is watching what they are doing. Congress is into low category politics for political benefits. Playing dirty politics in this affair is not acceptable. I have personally spoken to the relatives, community leaders, local leaders and others for 50 to 60 times on phone calls yesterday. Even today we have spoken to them. Congress on the other hand was provoking victim’s family and asking them not to accept the dead body and do funeral’.

DeshGujarat