Tension in Modinagar After Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Statue Vandalized; Heavy Police Deployment in Sikri Kalan

A wave of unrest gripped Sikri Kalan village in the Modinagar area of Ghaziabad on Tuesday morning after unidentified miscreants vandalized a statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. The incident, occurring just 20 days after the statue’s installation, led to massive protests by the local Dalit community and residents.

Incident Details: Discovery and Outrage

According to local reports, the statue had been ceremoniously installed on April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti) at the local Dharamshala complex, which is managed by the Municipal Council.

• The Discovery: Around 11:00 AM on Tuesday, villagers visiting the complex found the idol damaged.
• The Reaction: As news spread, hundreds of villagers gathered at the spot, raising slogans and demanding immediate action against the perpetrators. The protesters blocked local access, expressing deep hurt over the desecration of the social icon.

Police Intervention and Administrative Response

Sensing the sensitivity of the situation, ACP Modinagar Bhaskar Verma and the Station House Officer (SHO) arrived at the scene with a heavy police contingent to prevent any escalation of violence.

• Demands of the Community: The protesters set forth two primary demands: the immediate registration of an FIR against the unidentified culprits and the installation of a new statue at the site.
• Official Assurance: ACP Verma engaged with the community leaders, assuring them of a swift and transparent investigation. “A report is being filed against the unknown miscreants under relevant sections of the law. We have already initiated the process to replace the damaged statue with a new one,” the ACP stated.

Current Situation: Security Tightened

While the initial protests have subsided following administrative assurances, the village remains under a heavy security blanket.

• Investigation: Police are currently scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning local informants to identify the vandals.
• Peace Appeal: Local authorities and community elders have appealed to the public to maintain harmony and ignore any inflammatory rumors circulating on social media.

Disclaimer: This report is based on preliminary information from local news sources and police statements. The investigation is ongoing, and readers are advised to rely on official government bulletins for further updates.