Uttar Pradesh: 3 Ambedkar statues found damaged

Statues of dalit icon B R Ambedkar were found damaged at three places in this district of Uttar Pradesh and corrective action was taken soon after, police said on Monday. The damage to the statues in Khandwari, Khud Khalra and Pedra -- all in Sarai Meer area -- was detected a few hours before BSP leader Mayawati's rally at ITI ground on Sunday, police said.

Acting swiftly, the local administration got two statues repaired and one replaced, they said. Separate FIRs have been lodged in connection with the three incidents.

Police suspect the crime was handiwork of mischief mongers who apparently wanted the incident to snowball into a major controversy. It was, however, contained by timely police action.