Patels clash with BJP members; cops lob teargas shells

SURAT: Leaders and workers of Gujarat's ruling BJP, who were celebrating here Gujarat government's announcement of special scheme for deserving students, were today pelted with stones by members of the Patel community, prompting police to lob 25 teargas shells to disperse the mob.

The stone-pelting took place in Mangadh chowk area of the city, in which Mayor of Surat city Nilesh Jhanjhmera, BJP MLAs Harsh Sanghvi and Purnseh Modi suffered minor injuries, an official said.

"A team of Surat Police lobbed 25 teargas shells to disperse a mob when they started pelting stones at the BJP leaders who gathered at Mangadh chowk to celebrate the special scheme announced today by Gujarat government," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-4) of the city, K N Damor, said.

"Surat City Collector Nilesh Jhanjhmera, BJP MLAs Harsh Sanghvi and Purnesh Modi from Majura and Surat (west) seat respectively suffered minor injuries in stone-pelting," Damor added.

A mob gathered in the area and started pelting stones. A police team soon rushed to the area and first made an appeal to the mob not to resort to violence and lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, he said.

According to Damor, police have launched an inquiry into the case and launched a search for the offenders.

Earlier today, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced a special scheme which has financial and other assistance for bright students across categories.

The scheme named 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavlamban Yojna' (Chief Minister Youth Self-reliance Scheme), is not limited to just general category students but its benefit will be given to students of all the categories, including OBCs, SCs and STs.