Statues of tribal heroes Sidhu-Kanhu in Hazaribagh were vandalized for the second time in 15 days. Following the incident on the eve of Karam Puja, an enraged public protested by blocking roads and demanding police action.
Hazaribagh: In Hazaribagh city, Jharkhand, the statues of tribal freedom fighters Sidhu and Kanhu were once again vandalized on the eve of Karam Puja, sparking widespread outrage among the public. Following the incident, which occurred around 3:30 AM on Tuesday, local villagers and citizens staged a road blockade for several hours at the Sadanand Road and Korha Road intersections to protest. Police stated that miscreants took advantage of the darkness and rain to damage the idols. Officials assured that the culprits would be identified and apprehended.
Incident Occurs for the Second Time in 15 Days
The statues of Sidhu-Kanhu had been damaged approximately 15 days prior as well, but the perpetrators could not be identified at that time. Local residents allege that this second incident occurred due to police negligence. In the previous case, miscreants had also damaged the statue of former Chief Minister K.B. Sahay near the college.
The local tribal community states that Sidhu and Kanhu are symbols of their freedom struggle and cultural identity. Therefore, the vandalism of their statues is a matter that has deeply hurt the community's sentiments.
Vandalism Carried Out by Taking Advantage of Darkness
According to the police, the incident took place around 3:30 AM on Tuesday. The statues were found intact during the night patrol. Officials believe that miscreants damaged the idols by exploiting the heavy rainfall that occurred before dawn.
Police suspect that criminals committed the act under the cover of darkness and rain. An officer of SP rank reached the spot, and an investigation into the incident has commenced. He also stated that the culprits would be identified based on CCTV footage and statements from people in the vicinity.
Local People Take to the Streets After the Incident
As soon as the news of the incident spread, a large crowd of local people gathered at the scene. Protesters chanted slogans and blocked the Sadanand Road and Korha Road intersection, including PWD Chowk, for several hours.
The protesters claimed that the police remained negligent and were protecting the culprits. They demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amit Kumar Anand assured that the culprits would be identified and apprehended soon. Following this assurance, the protestors dispersed, and normalcy was restored.
Statues Symbolize the Identity and Pride of the Tribal Community
Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu were two brothers who led the Santhal Rebellion against British rule and local landlords in 1855-56. They are honored within the tribal community as pioneers and heroes of the freedom struggle.
Their statues are symbols of the tribal community's identity and pride. Consequently, the vandalism against these statues has caused deep sensitivity and anger within the community. Social activists and local leaders have stated that the administration must take a firm stance in this matter to prevent similar incidents in the future.
