After police attempt to remove illegally erected Ambedkar statue, violence erupts in Bhadohi

Bhadohi, June 24 (HS): A group of protesters threw stones at policemen on Saturday as they attempted to remove an idol of B R Ambedkar that had been reportedly unlawfully placed overnight, injuring two cops, according to a senior official. Bhubaneshwar Kumar Pandey, Circle Officer (CO), stated police used "minor force" to disperse a hostile gathering in the Bhadohi police station area.

According to authorities, 11 persons were detained on the spot, including three women.

According to Pandey, the Ambedkar idol was put on a pedestal on Friday night on land earmarked for a pond in Mushilatpur village in city Kotwali. According to the CO, after receiving a complaint, top police and administrative officials arrived at the scene and requested the residents to remove the idol, but they refused. When officials attempted to remove the monument, the mob pelted them with stones, prompting police to deploy lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators. He stated that the injured cops were brought to a hospital. Tensions have risen in the region, and more police have been dispatched to preserve peace and order, according to the CO, who also stated that attempts are being made to apprehend those who were engaged in the incident. Meanwhile, the B R Ambedkar monument remains in the police station.

Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi