Heavy security for Exams

The Narendra Modi government in Gujarat on Wednesday alleged that anti-social elements taking shelter in relief camps are involved in the perpetration of fresh violence in Ahmedabad.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Gujarat, including in Ahmedabad city where the police is geared up to provide adequate security for the HSC and SSC examinations at centres where it has been rescheduled from Thursday. The state government has said special buses with armed police will run from sensitive areas to the examination centres to ensure the safety of students.

Students will be allowed to pass through curfew-bound areas on showing identity cards, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner P.C. Pande said.

State government spokesman and urban development minister I.K. Jadeja claimed that several elements sheltering at relief camps are involved in violence in Ahmedabad. Mr. Jadeja claimed that the state government had information that several of those arrested for fuelling violence at Ramol and other places in Ahmedabad are from relief camps and that the state government has ordered a probe.

The situation in Ahmedabad, meanwhile, was tense but peaceful even as large crowds gathered to bid a final farewell to VHP leader Ashwin Rawal and activist Pratap Barot from Ramol, who were stabbed on Tuesday. Ashwin Rawal succumbed to his injuries early on Wednesday morning and was cremated along with Barot under heavy police and RAF security on Wednesday.

Imran Rehman, 15, who sustained 35 per cent burn injuries when he was attacked along with his colleagues at a madrasa in Dholka on March 1, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at V.S. Hospital.

Curfew continued in areas under Dariapur, Danilimda and Gomtipur police stations and night curfew was on in nine other police stations. The police has continued with the ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers.The situation in Baroda, Godhra and Anand remained peaceful, according to the police. Night curfew will continue in six police stations in Baroda city, Umreth, Anand, Petlad, Borsad in Anand district and Godhra and Lunawada in Godhra district.

A stabbing incident in Bharuch on Wednesday disturbed peace in the town. Bharuch DSP D.J. Patel said the police is investigating the incident. “The stabbing incident took place in the afternoon in the Santoshi Nagar area of the town. The person was attacked with a sword by some unidentified persons.”

Republished from The Asian Age