Statue awaiting installation for 6 years

Sagar, MP, May 28 (UNI) A five-foot-high statue of dalit leader Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, made at a cost of about Rs 1 lakh, is awaiting installation for the past six years at this district's Shahpur despite an agitation having taken place for its installation and unveiling.

The statue is gathering dust in the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat Chairman's room. ''Solid efforts were not made for installation,'' said former chairman Veerendra Gaur who led a massive demonstration at Shahpur yesterday. A memorandum, regarding the installation and other problems, was submitted to the administration.

At the proposed site, locals pledged to have their demand met.

''The statue was purchased in 2002. A letter was recently sent to the government regarding the installation,'' said Panchayat Chief Executive Officer R P Sen.

UNI XC-AC 1651