The Hindu : National leaders' statues damaged in Anakapalle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 22, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

National leaders' statues damaged in Anakapalle

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM, JAN. 21. Statues of national leaders were demolished by some miscreants at AMAL College in Anakapalle, 40 km from here, last night.

A new statue of Swami Vivekananda, slated to be unveiled on Monday, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue on the college premises were demolished while those of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Potti Sriramulu were defaced. An idol of Hanuman, also on the campus, was demolished.

Students of AMAL College staged a `rasta roko' for half an hour at Kotthuru Junction demanding action against the culprits.

They dispersed after the police told them that a case had already been registered and the probe was on with a dog squad and CLUES team being pressed into service and any action on the part of students would only hinder the investigation process.

The college principal, V.A.S. Naidu, said the statues of national leaders were being installed one by one on the occasion of their birth or death anniversary with a view to inspiring the student community. However, the new statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to be installed on Friday, was safe as it was locked in a room.

In the last couple of months, some incidents were reported at the college after a new management took over and sacked about 20 employees on the ground of surplus staff.

The dismissed employees approached court. Also, a case against the principal for alleged atrocity on a student belonging to Scheduled Classes was registered and Tuesday's incident occurred against this background. Political rivalry is also not ruled out as the old and new managements belong to rival political groups.

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