Ambedkar statue vandalised in Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi, Jun 7: A statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar was vandalised by unidentified miscreants in Phoolpur area here triggering tension among the Dalit community.

The incident took place at Parasara village late last night, following which Dalits started gathering around the ransacked statue in large numbers early today.

Getting information, police and administrative officials, including District Magistrate Beena Kumari Meena rushed to the spot and prevented the situation from worsening.

Later, the damaged statue was replaced with a new one, Ms Meena said.

An FIR had been registered against Sanjay Singh, belonging to an upper caste and a resident of neighbouring Gajokhar village.

Police suspect the vandalisation is linked to the beating of a dalit woman by upper caste men at Gajokhar village on June 4.

Police and PAC had been deployed in strength in the area.

UNI