Patel leaders meet Gujarat health minister on issue of reservation

AHMEDABAD: Two representatives of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), which is spearheading the Patel community's agitation for reservations in OBC category, today held talks on the issue with Gujarat health minister Nitin Patel.

While Chirag Patel and Dinesh Patel met the minister, PAAS convener Hardik Patel was not present.

"We had a discussion on all their issues," said Nitin Patel who also acts as the government spokesperson.

"They put forward their demands in the more than an hour- long discussion," Nitin told PTI, adding that the meeting was held at the behest of Patel leaders from North Gujarat and Saurashtra.

The minister however also said the government didn't give them any assurance.

Speaking in Mehasana town, Hardik said that PAAS representatives met the minister Nitin Patel.

"We asked them to pay compensation to families of those who died in the violence and withdraw FIRs against Patel youths as they have been wrongly implicated," Hardik told reporters.

The agitation of Patel community turned violent when the police detained Hardik briefly after a mega rally here on August 25. Ten people were killed in the violence.