Batala police defuse tension after Ambedkar statue vandalism rumours

A potentially volatile situation was defused by the Batala police after rumours spread like wildfire that the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar had been vandalised by anti-social elements. SSP Suhail Qasim Mir circulated a video to reassure residents, stating that they had no reason to worry. He added that a part of the statue may have broken due to natural causes, not vandalism. The statue is located in the Kapoori Gate area.

Panic had gripped the area, but the police arrived promptly to take control of the situation. Earlier that morning, some people noticed that a finger of the statue had been broken, which put the Valmiki community on edge. However, the police pacified senior leaders, and SSP Mir spoke to PWD officers, who claimed that the broken finger was an old issue.

“We will take strict action against anybody found defacing statues of religious and political leaders anywhere in the city,” he said.

Sources suggested that a recent function held by the Improvement Trust authorities near the statue might have caused the damage. Valmiki Samaj leader Rakesh Bhatti lodged a formal complaint, and a case has been registered against unidentified persons. The police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby establishments to investigate further.