Ahmedabad, Aug 25: Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti chief Hardik Patel has begun an indefinite fast to press the government to implement reservation for the Patidar community in educational institutes and government jobs.

The fast was embarked upon by the 24-year-old leader at his Ahmedabad-based residence, as the district administration had denied him permission to launch the 'satyagraha' in public.

Patel had sort the administration's permission to allow PAAS volunteers to convene at two places -- Nikol area of Ahmedabad and Satyagrah Chhavni in Gandhinagar. On being denied the permission, Patel had earlier threatened to go to jail. However, he later decided to begin the fast at his residence.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Patel said he is compelled to launch an indefinite fast as the government has failed to take steps towards providing the Patidar community with reservation, despite three years of his state-wide agitation.

Although Patel is fasting from home, the administration has maintained a strict vigil as the last major agitation called by the leader - in August, 2015 - had led to mass violence with deaths of at least 14 people in counter-action by the security forces.

Tensions had flared in Ahmedabad and Surat -- two cities with large Patidar population -- after the arrest of Alpesh Kathiriya, a close aide of Hardik Patel, by the Crime Branch in an old sedition case.

Kathiriya was  arrested from Surat when he was on his way to begin a fast to protest against the lack of steps the government has taken to provide reservation to Patidars.

Following his arrest, a BRTS bus was set ablaze in Yogi Chowk area and a bus stand was vandalised in Varachha area. Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma said the police are alert and will prevent any further deterioration of law and order.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2018 03:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).