Dalit violence over flogging in Bihar ,CM Anandiben’s vehicle surrounded as she came to meet Una flogged victim

Una July 21:The bandh called by Dalit groups  in Gujarat ,was near total Wednesday as protesters took to the streets, attacking public transport,, downing shutters and halting trains and vehicle traffic.

Police said Dalits groups clashed with police at several places.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel who met Balu Sarvaiyya , along with his family members, was flogged by gau rakshaks on July 11 in Una in Somnath district as there were Dalits  on the streets where anger was directed at the authorities and the CM.

Dalit and Muslim groups sought justice, handing memorandums to authorities at various places.

Police shot tear gas shells and lathicharged mobs in Dani Limda, a largely Dalit neighbourhood in Ahmedabad,

In Botad district ,another Dalit youth doused himself with kerosene and tried to set himself ablaze outside the collector’s office.

A shutdown has been observed in Una town in Gir Somnath and police deployed in large numbers for the Chief Minister’s visit.

Additional DGP V M Pargi (Law and Order) told reporters: “Sixteen persons have been arrested in the case and four policemen have been suspended.

He regretted serious lapses in the Una case .

He said the authorities had been appealing for peace since action had been taken against accused.

Protesters forced closure of shops to enforce the bandh in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar,

Gujarat police said at least 18 incidents of violence had taken place.

In Vanthali of Junagadh district, a DSP’s vehicle was attacked and 10 buses were damaged while a private bus was set ablaze in Porbandar

trina service was halted by protestors in  Vadhwan in Surendranagar and Botad.

Several schools and colleges remained closed in the districts.

The most affected area was the new west zone where 2,500 medical workers stayed away from work, Medical Officer (Health) Dr Bhavin Solanki said.

In Surat, hundreds of Dalits hit the streets near the textile market to shut it down but were stopped by police.

Surendrangar collector Udit Agrawal said he got memorandums from Dalit organisations and  AAP and Congress for seeking action in the Una incident.