AHMEDABAD: As many as seven Patel community leaders were today arrested for staging protests at Modhera in Mehsana town demanding release of jailed quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and other leaders.
The leaders arrested today include Sardar Patel Group president (SPG) Lalji Patel and Hardik's close aide and Ahmedabad city convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti's (PAAS) Atul Patel.
"We have arrested Lalji, Atul and five other Patel agitators from Modhera cross roads, where they gathered to hold protests. Since they did not take permission for the agitation, we have arrested seven of them," Mehsana 'B' division police inspector J T Sisodiya said.
Earlier yesterday, Ranip police in the city had arrested Lalji, Atul and 35 other Patel community members for trying to sit on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Sabarmati Ashram here without police permission.
However, they were released on bail late last night.
The PAAS leaders had earlier handed over a common memorandum to district collectors and other government officials at taluka level in various parts of state and said if their leaders are not released, they will start protest from December 21.
The PAAS also asked the government to withdraw sedition charges against Hardik Patel, Chirag Patel, Ketan Patel, Dinesh Bambhaniya and Nilesh Arvadia and release them from jail immediately.
Despite both the programmes of PAAS and SPG leaders not being permitted by the police during last two days, the Patel leaders are adamant to continue their stir.
"Even if we apply for permission for a peaceful gathering, police deny to give it for unknown reasons. Instead of detaining, police is arresting our leaders. But, we will not stop our protest. We will start such programmes in every town and city across the state from tomorrow," PAAS member Jagdish Parikh said.