<p>The bronze statue of the 19th Century freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna was found vandalised with its sword twisted, at the Sangolli Rayanna Circle (Khoday’s Circle) in Upparpet early Saturday morning.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The police suspect it to be either an attempt at vandalism or theft. The incident triggered vehement protests by Kannada organisations, forcing Home Minister K J George to rush to the spot and promise them that the perpetrators would be nabbed soon and the statue repaired at the earliest. <br /><br />A senior police officer who visited the spot said a case had been registered in the Upparpet police station and an investigation was being carried out. “We are also trying to obtain CCTV footage and will examine it to gather clues about the culprits,” he said.<br /><br />Hundreds of members of several Kannada organisations gathered around the statue demanding that those behind the incident be arrested “within 24 hours.” A few protesters even wondered how such an incident could occur at such a busy place. “There is heavy movement of people and vehicles on this stretch. Also, there are bus stops, a railway station and a police station located close to where the statue stands. We are not sure what was the intention of the people behind the incident.” The protesters also demanded that a security guard be deployed round the clock near the statue.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The bronze statue of the 19th Century freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna was found vandalised with its sword twisted, at the Sangolli Rayanna Circle (Khoday’s Circle) in Upparpet early Saturday morning.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The police suspect it to be either an attempt at vandalism or theft. The incident triggered vehement protests by Kannada organisations, forcing Home Minister K J George to rush to the spot and promise them that the perpetrators would be nabbed soon and the statue repaired at the earliest. <br /><br />A senior police officer who visited the spot said a case had been registered in the Upparpet police station and an investigation was being carried out. “We are also trying to obtain CCTV footage and will examine it to gather clues about the culprits,” he said.<br /><br />Hundreds of members of several Kannada organisations gathered around the statue demanding that those behind the incident be arrested “within 24 hours.” A few protesters even wondered how such an incident could occur at such a busy place. “There is heavy movement of people and vehicles on this stretch. Also, there are bus stops, a railway station and a police station located close to where the statue stands. We are not sure what was the intention of the people behind the incident.” The protesters also demanded that a security guard be deployed round the clock near the statue.<br /><br /></p>
