LUCKNOW: Unindentified persons vandalised the two statues of  Dalit icon B R Ambedkar in different parts of Uttara Pradesh, triggering protests by locals who demanded arrest of culprits. 

According to sources, the head of Ambedkar’s statue was chopped off on Friday night at Trivenipuram in Jhunsi area of Allahabad. Allahabad SSP Akash Kulhary described the situation as under control. He said an FIR had been filed at the Jhunsi police station against unidentified persons.

In Gohaniya village under Domariganj police station in Siddharth Nagar, the arm of Ambedkar’s statue had been broken.

Taking a serious note of such incidents, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued directives to district magistrates and SPs to take steps to ensure security of statues installed in their respective districts and see that such instances are not repeated. 

The statue is immediately being replaced and a case has been lodged against unidentified persons, SP, Dr. Dharamvir said. 

An official release issued in Lucknow said the chief minister has asked officials to take strong action against those responsibile for such incidents so that they do not vitiate peace and harmony. 

Officials have been asked to take the help of peoples' representatives and eminent persons for ensuring peace and harmony and hold meetings with them. 

With PTI inputs