Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Jan 26 (IANS) In the second such incident in less than a week, unidentified people desecrated a statue of B.R. Ambedkar in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district Thursday, triggering protests from Dalit groups.

A statue of the architect of the Indian constitution, who is a Dalit icon, was found desecrated on the Republic Day in Dowleswaram, a suburb of Rajahmundry town, sparking tension in the region.

The incident occurred even before the situation could return to complete normalcy in Amlapuram town in the same district, where three statues of the national leader were desecrated Monday.

Following the latest incident, Dalit groups began road blockade on the Chennai-Bhubhaneswar national highway, leading to huge traffic jams. They also staged a protest near the Republic Day function venue and observed it as the black day.

Leaders of Dalit groups have demanded stern action against those involved in the incident. The protests were also organised in Rajahmundry town.

Additional police forces were rushed to the town to prevent any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders banning any gathering of more than four people were continuing in Amlapuram town, where two groups clashed Monday after desecration of the statues.

The state government Thursday decided to send a delegation of ministers to Amlapuram. The four-member ministerial team will try to find the facts about the desecration of statues.