Tension grips Warangal village over Shivaji statue installation

Tension prevailed in Bollikunta village of Warangal district after a Chhatrapati Shivaji statue was installed overnight near a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue. Following protests by the Dalit community, authorities removed the statue, while police intensified security and placed BJP leaders under house arrest.

Warangal: Tension prevailed at Bollikunta in Khila Warangal mandal in the district on Friday as two different sections were at odds over installation of Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at a local junction.

It might be noted that the local dalit community had been opposing the installation of a Shivaji statue by a faction supported by BJP at Bollikunta for the past few days. The dalit community was objecting to the installation of Shivaji statue next to Dr. BR Ambedkar statue.

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However, a statue of Shivaji was placed on the ground at the junction during mid-night hours of Friday. The dalit community demanded the authorities to remove Shivaji statue. Following which the local police and revenue officials removed the statue amidst heavy security.

Villagers who were in favour of installation of Shivaji statue were furious at the officials’ action. Mamunoor police have placed Warangal district BJP president Ghant Ravi and other key leaders from Bollikunta and Mamunoor under house arrest.

The local tahsildar was reviewing the situation at Bollikunta which was under heavy police guard even as the tahsildar and police held discussions with both groups.