Protests over removal of Shivaji statue

KERI: Shiv Premi association on Saturday organised a protest meeting at Valpoi to protest Valpoi municipal council’s removal of the

Shivaji statue

from the Hathwada junction on Saturday. The association had called for a Sattari bandh on Saturday, however, that did not take place.

Deputy collector, Bicholim, Pradeep Naik and Valpoi police inspector met the protesters just as they were gathering for the rally and asked them to produce the permission for the meeting.

When the organisers failed to do so, they were prevented from assembling.

A police force was deployed at the site, and organisers were forced to shift their rally to

Shahid Stambh

, where around 25 protesters, including Gauresh Gawas and

Hanumant Parab

participated. Differences cropped up among the association members, which saw some withdrawing from the protest, stating that local MLA Vishwajit Rane, in coordination with

Shiv Jayanti Utsav Committee

, had installed the statue in the municipal garden at Valpoi.

Earlier, the committee had distanced itself from the bandh.


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