Tension prevails during installation of former PM Vajpayee’s statue
   Date :26-Dec-2022

PM Vajpayee’s statue  
 
 
Staff Reporter
BHILAI, 
 
TENSE situation was created during Atal Jayanti celebrations when the local Congress corporator and supporters protested against installation of a statue at Atal Smriti Udyan in Ward-37 of Camp-2. After the protest police immediately summoned a reserve police force with an anti-demonstration squad to bring the situation under control.
According to information on Sunday noon, Atal Jayanti celebration was in progress with installation of a bust of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Smriti Udyan in Camp-II, Bhilai. The programme was organised by Brijesh Brijpuriya, president, Bhilai Jila Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark the birth anniversary celebration of
former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
A tense situation was created when Congress Corporator Mannan Gaffar Khan of Ward-37 along with his supporters reached the park and protested the statue installation at the park on the ground that the BJP leaders had not obtained statutory clearance from the district administration for installation of the bust in a public place. The police team deployed at the location immediately intervened and brought the situation under control. After information senior police officials also reached the location immediately and pacified the agitating workers and supporters from both the parties.
In the meantime there was rumour regarding Prabhat Kumar, Probationary IPS and CSP Chhaoni Police Sub-division was assaulted and got hurt. However he set aside the rumour and informed that there was no direct attack or even an intended uncomfortable push by anyone.
Dr Abhishek Pallava, Superintendent of Police (SP) told the media persons that in accordance with Apex Court guidelines in such matter any organisation could proceed in such matter with due permission of the High Power Committee led by the District Collector. The SP also informed that the organisers had permission of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), but in absence of administrative clearance the area has been sealed as per provision laid down in section 145 of Criminal Procedure Code and the police are maintaining vigil in the location. Police have taken the statue in its custody.
Mannan Gaffar Khan, corporator informed that they were not opposing the statue installation of the former
Prime Minister and we have all due reverence for the late leader, but there has to be due clearance from the district administration.
On learning about the development Vijay Baghel, MP, Durg also reached the location immediately and helped bring the situation under control. Regretting the development MP Baghel said that the local corporator and his supporters should have taken the stand earlier as the preparation for the special occasion was in progress for over a week. He also added that as former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was a widely acclaimed leader across the party lines.