Violence ebbs in Gujarat; Karni Sena cancels gherao plan

The state got respite from violence over the release of 'Padmaavat' a day after it saw state transport buses being taken off some major routes following attacks.

Some theatres in the state also decided to release the movie after assurance from the police that they would prevent any sort of violence. Meanwhile, the Karni Sena, which had announced a Kamlam (office of the BJP in Gandhinagar) gherao on Tuesday, also cancelled its programme.

A message from the outfit said though it had cancelled the march towards the BJP office, it had not given up on the fight against the movie.

The GSRTC, meanwhile, said buses continued to ply on major roads that saw negligible impact of the protests.

They, however, said buses plying on the routes to and from Vijapur, Mansa and Mehsana via interior roads were stopped.

"Buses were forcefully stopped by people to avoid possible disturbance," said an official of the Gujarat State Transport service.

Meanwhile in Surat, 21 of the 24 theatre owners held a meeting with the collector. It is believed that eight theatre owners in the district have agreed to show the movie.

Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja also carried out a high-level meeting of police officials to take stock of the situation following opposition to violence.

On Monday, blockade at Thasagam on the Rajkot highway was reported, although police had yet to confirm it.

Raj Shekhawat, state head of the Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, that had called for a march towards Kamalam said they are following a wait-and-watch policy. "We will wait for the SC decision on the review petition filed by the Rajasthan government and decide the future course of action. We have appealed to people not to turn violent and damage government property. We will also be supporting the Bharat bandh on January 25," said Shekhawat.