Tension in East Godavari after desecration of Ambedkar statues

Tension prevailed in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh today after some unidentified persons desecrated statues of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar in the Amalapuram sub-division.

District Superintendent of Police Trivikram Varma told PTI that some unidentified persons desecrated Ambedkar's statues at Bodsakurro village and three other places in the Amalapuram sub-division.

As the news spread, a mob attacked shops in the Amalapuram town and police lathicharged to bring the situation under control, Varma said.

He assured that those behind the desecration would be arrested soon.

Varma said that Ramchandrapuram DSP, Sridhar, had been appointed to conduct enquiry into the desecrations.

Apart from at Amalapuram, tension also prevailed at Nallavanta, Eddarapalli, Clock Tower area, and some places along the National Highway 214.

Traffic was disrupted in these areas for two to three hours, Varma said, with Dalit leaders asking the shop owners to down the shutters