Ludhiana: Five days after unidentified miscreants allegedly vandalised the protective glass enclosure of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s statue at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana, Punjab Police have registered an FIR and launched a search for those involved. The case was filed following a complaint by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) district president.
FIR lodged after complaint by BSP district president
Salem Tabri Police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged vandalism of the statue of Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk.
The FIR was registered on July 19, five days after the incident that occurred on July 14, following a written complaint by Balwinder Singh alias Jassi, Ludhiana district president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
According to the complaint, unidentified miscreants targeted the statue by pelting stones at the protective glass enclosure, shattering the thick glass surrounding the memorial.
Incident sparked protests and highway blockade
The incident came to light on the morning of July 14 when local residents noticed the broken glass enclosure and bricks and stones lying near the statue.
Balwinder Singh stated in his complaint that the incident had deeply hurt the sentiments of the BSP leadership and the Bahujan community.
Following the incident, members of the Dalit community and several social organisations gathered at the site and staged a protest. Demonstrators blocked the Jalandhar-Ludhiana National Highway, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
The protest led to massive traffic congestion, with long queues of vehicles forming on the highway before police restored normalcy.
Police scanning CCTV footage to identify accused
Taking cognisance of the matter, Salem Tabri Police have registered a case against unknown persons under Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The investigation has been assigned to ASI Singhara Singh, who is examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused. Police officials said efforts are underway to trace and arrest those involved at the earliest.