Ambedkar statue to relocate

Chennai, Nov 20 (UNI) The Ambedkar statue at Koyambedu junction, whose shifting had triggered violence here last evening, would be temporarily relocated in front of the Koyambedu Mofussil bus terminus.

An official release here said this was decided at a meeting convened by Chennai District Collector which was also attended by Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) MLA Selva Perunthagai, officials from Highways Department and representatives from political parties and social organisations.

The meeting also decided to install the statue at the temporary location before December 6 with ladder and lighting facilities for the purpose of garlanding it, the release added.

The statue would be reinstalled at a permanent location after the completion of fly-over work at Koyambedu junction, the release said.

All those who attended today's meeting, decided to maintain peace, the release added.

When the statue was removed on Saturday night to facilitate the construction of a grade separator, a group came out of a meeting of Dalit representatives yesterday and pelted stones at buses. The incident took place even as the officials were discussing the site for the relocation of the statue.

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