Suggestion to merge UT with Gujarat: Bandh call in Daman and Diu, one arrested

The high court had on Tuesday made the suggestion while refusing to quash FIRs against liquor shop owners of Daman. The Gujarat government had earlier told the court that 90 per cent liquor smuggled into Gujarat comes from Daman. Umesh Patel started a campaign to spread awareness against the merger after the court’s suggestion. Daman’s sub divisional magistrate Nilesh Gurav issued a notice to him and told him to sign a bond stating that he would not take out the rally and call off the bandh. He claimed that Umesh Patel’s campaign would disturb peace.

Daman and Diu BJP president Gopal Tandel said that they oppose the merger. “It was long back ago in 1987 that an opinion poll was carried out in Daman on the subject of getting it merged with Gujarat. The people voted in favour of remaining a union territory,’’ he said.

“The Central government was giving grant of Rs 7 crore before 1987 and after the opinion poll, the grant was increased to Rs 50 crore…’’ Daman and Diu Congress president Khursheed Manjra echoed Tandel. “We are in support of the movement started by Umesh Patel and we will take active part in the bandh called on April 15.