Clashes erupt in UP’S Lakhimpur Kheri over Ambedkar statue on Jayanti
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Bankeganj (Lakhimpur Kheri): Tension boiled over into violence on Tuesday evening in Bankeganj town under Mailani police station when two groups clashed over installing a Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue on government land during Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations.
The dispute ignited as one group moved to erect the statue at a long-vacant Buddhist vihara site during a community feast (bhandara). Village head Virendra Gautam was present initially but departed before installation. Most villagers then left for a rally, leaving women behind.
Villagers alleged resident Chanda Devi arrived with police, leading to the statue's removal and damage. Women claimed officers baton-charged them when they resisted.
An agitated mob pelted stones at police and torched a government van, with social media videos capturing the assault on a police vehicle. Despite initial pacification attempts, authorities resorted to mild force. A heavy contingent restored order.
Senior officials—District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal and Senior Superintendent of Police Khyati Garg—rushed to the scene. Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Rai attributed the unrest to the land dispute, crediting swift action for containment.
The situation remains tense but controlled, with no arrests reported yet.