Removal of Ambedkar's statue leads to violence

Chennai, Nov 19 (UNI) Tension prevalied at the busy Koyambedu junction here today as some people belonging to various Dalit outfits went on a rampage and pelted stones at State Transport Corporation buses protesting against the sudden removal of a statue of Dalit leader Babasaheb Ambedkar in the area.

Police said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had removed the statue to facilitate the construction of a road overbridge to ease traffic congestion in the area.

The officials of the NHAI, revenue and police department convened a peace meeting, attended by a number of Dalit party leaders, to explain the reason behind the removal of the statue and sought their cooperation.

The Dalit's representatives accepted the explanations of the officials and agreed to reinstal the statue at a vantage point near Koyambedu market area.

However, while the meeting was in progress, a section of dalits rushed out and indulged in violence damaging atleast 20 buses of the state owned metri transport corporation. They then fled from the scene.

On receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Elaborate police bandobust and intensive patrolling was being made in the area to avoid any fresh trouble, police said.

UNI RV VV AKJ BS2001