Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh), April 15 (NationPress) - Two FIRs have been lodged and 19 individuals have been apprehended in connection with a dispute regarding the placement of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, according to officials on Wednesday.

The atmosphere in Lakhimpur Kheri remained tense following clashes that erupted the previous day after an alleged act of vandalism involving the Ambedkar statue in the Bankeganj area.

Authorities reported that tensions flared on Tuesday evening when the statue was said to be damaged, resulting in a clash between local residents and police. This incident coincided with the celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti in the Bankeganj locality, which falls under the Mailani Police Station's jurisdiction.

ASP Amit Kumar Rai stated in an interview with IANS, "We have registered two FIRs—one filed by a woman who claimed she was assaulted, and the other lodged by the SHO of Mailani against the disruptive elements. So far, 19 people have been identified and arrested. We are currently identifying additional suspects through social media videos and CCTV footage."

"The conflict arose over land issues. Residents intended to display a photo of Baba Saheb and oversee the event. However, the village leader attempted to place a small statue of Ambedkar instead. This led to objections from some individuals, resulting in a verbal confrontation. When police were alerted, they faced stone-pelting from the crowd. In response, law enforcement had to use force to restore order," he added.

Locals reported that an unidentified person was responsible for damaging the statue, which incited anger among the community.

The situation escalated quickly, with protests evolving into a significant disruption in the area.

Moreover, law enforcement had previously expressed concerns regarding the statue's installation as it was undertaken without the necessary permissions.

Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar informed IANS, "During Ambedkar Jayanti, a gathering was planned in Bankeganj where residents attempted to erect a statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. When police intervened, it incited outrage among the crowd, leading to chaos. They also began throwing stones at the officials. Despite our attempts to manage the situation and disperse the crowd, the area is now stabilized."

Locals reiterated that an unknown individual caused damage to the statue, igniting further unrest.

The escalating protests soon led to a significant disturbance in the locality.

However, police had previously opposed the statue's installation, citing the absence of prior authorization. An enraged crowd proceeded to vandalize police vehicles and hurl stones at the officers, as reported by officials.

In reaction to the unrest, police reinforcements from multiple stations were dispatched to the scene, along with senior officers to restore order.

Officials indicated that a tense calm currently prevails, with ongoing surveillance by senior authorities.

A strong police presence remains in the area to ensure law and order and to avert any further escalation.