Clash erupts in MP after a group pulled down a Patel statue

Ujjain: A clash broke out between two groups in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Thursday morning after a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which was erected a day ago, was pulled down, PTI reported. The two communities pelted stones and used canes at each other, multiple shops were vandalised, and vehicles were set on fire in the area during the clash, Hindustan Times (HT) reported.

Heavy security has been deployed in the Makdone area, located about 50 km from the district headquarters, where the incident took place, they told PTI.

In a video of the incident, which went viral on social media, a group of people were seen pulling down the statue with a tractor. They wanted a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar to be installed at the site instead of Patel's, police sources said. According to HT, the clashed communities were Patidars and the Bhim army; the former installed the Patel statue while the latter pulled it down since they wanted Ambedkars.

They said the statue of Patel was installed at the site close to the Makdone bus stand late Wednesday night.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Nitesh Bhargav told PTI over the phone that they were inquiring when the statue was installed.

An investigation is underway, after which cases would be registered, he said.

Asked about how many people were injured in the stone-pelting, he said, "No one has reported to us about it so far."

"Additional police force has been deployed. The situation is completely under control. We have removed the stones that were hurled by (members of) the two communities from the spot in the Makdone area," Bhargav said.

So far, a prohibitory order (to ban assembly of people) has not been issued, he said.