District administration shifts Hanuman statue amid protests

Nagercoil, Sep 29 (UNI) Kanyakumari District administration today shifted a 24-foot Hanuman statue from Kanyakumari to Tirunelveli, despite opposition from Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP), Hindu Munnani and Shiv Sena among others.

Police said the statue installed at Sunset Point in Kanyakumari, triggered tension between Hindu groups and fishermen in the town, a predominantly Christian region.

District Collector Jyothi Nirmala said the trust had obtained permission only from the Panchayat for the installation of the statue, instead of seeking permission from the Tamil Nadu government through the district administration.

It may be recalled that yesterday, district authorities attempted to remove the statue despite vehement protests from Hindu groups, which formed a human chain around it.

Security had been strengthened in the area to prevent outbreak of any violence, police added.

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