Hyderabad: Tension over removal of Shivaji Maharaj statue in Neredmet

Tension prevailed in Neredmet after police shifted a newly installed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, triggering protests by BJP leaders and Hindu organisations. Police said the statue was installed on government land without permission and assured action as per rules

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at Vinayak Nagar in Neredmet after police shifted a newly installed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, triggering protests by local BJP leaders and members of various Hindu organisations on Friday morning.

According to information available, locals had installed the statue on Thursday evening around 6 pm, allegedly in a public place and on government land without any prior permission from the authorities concerned, including the revenue department.

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On learning about this, the Neredmet police, along with senior officials from the Malkajgiri zone, reached the spot with battalions consisting of around 120-150 policemen and police vehicles on Friday. They removed the statue using earthmovers, citing law and order concerns and claiming that the statue had been installed overnight without obtaining mandatory permissions from the civic authorities.

As news of the removal spread, BJP leaders, local party workers and activists of Hindu organisations rushed to the area, demanding that the statue be restored at the same location. Protesters raised slogans and attempted to stop the police from shifting the statue, resulting in a brief standoff.

Police detained several protesters and shifted them to the local police station to prevent escalation. Heavy police deployment was made in and around Vinayak Nagar.

Meanwhile, police sources said that the action was not against any individual or community but was taken strictly in accordance with rules. Statues cannot be installed in public places without prior approvals.

Normalcy returned to the area later, though police pickets continued as a precaution. It is learnt that authorities would take up discussions with community representatives and political leaders to find an amicable solution in line with legal procedures.