Tension gripped parts of Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri after a dispute surrounding the installation and alleged vandalism of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar during Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations escalated into violent clashes between villagers and police.
The unrest began yesterday evening in Motipur Grant No. 10 village in the Bankeganj area under Mailani police station. According to officials, the situation spiralled after the statue of Ambedkar was allegedly damaged, triggering anger among residents and quickly turning a protest into a large-scale disturbance.
Authorities confirmed that two First Information Reports have been registered in connection with the incident, while 19 people have been identified and arrested so far. Officials said efforts are underway to identify other suspects using CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media.
Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Rai said one complaint was filed by a woman who alleged she was assaulted during the violence, while another case was registered by the Station House Officer of Mailani against individuals accused of instigating the unrest.
Dispute over land and statue installation
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from disagreements over a disputed plot of land measuring around 0.061 hectares located along the main road in Bankeganj. Residents had planned to organise an Ambedkar Jayanti programme at the site and display a photograph of the social reformer.
According to officials, tensions escalated when the village head attempted to install a small statue of Ambedkar at the location, prompting objections from some villagers. Police had also objected to the installation as it was reportedly being carried out without prior permission.
When officers reached the site to address the situation, an agitated crowd allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel. Authorities said police used force to disperse the gathering and restore order after the confrontation intensified.
Vehicles damaged, several injured
During the violence, protesters vandalised several vehicles belonging to the police and the administration. Officials said at least eight vehicles, both government and private, were damaged in the incident. Two vehicles were set on fire, while two others were overturned into a canal.
Authorities estimate that the destruction caused losses of nearly ₹25 lakh. The clashes also left nine people injured, including police personnel and administrative officials.
In her complaint, Chanda Devi, a resident of Maikupur village, alleged that she was attacked when she arrived at the site after receiving information from her niece about attempts to place the statue on the disputed land. She claimed that the accused, along with a large crowd of around 200 people, assaulted her and even attempted to burn her alive using petrol.
Based on her statement, police registered a case under serious charges, including rioting, attempted murder, and incitement to violence against eight named individuals and more than 200 unidentified persons.
Fresh tension in the nearby village
While the administration was still managing the aftermath of the Bankeganj clashes, another dispute surfaced this morning in Rupnpurwa village under the Bhira police station area.
According to local reports, members of one group installed a blue flag bearing Ambedkar’s photograph at a religious site. The move drew objections from another group, leading to a heated exchange that raised fears of renewed unrest in the village.
Police quickly reached the spot after receiving information and intervened to defuse the situation. Officers removed the flag and called members of both groups to the police station for discussions. Authorities later said the situation had been brought under control.
Heavy security and continuing investigation
Following the incidents, the administration deployed additional police personnel in the affected villages to prevent any further escalation. Several teams have also been formed to trace those involved in the violence and carry out arrests.
Officials said a tense calm currently prevails in the area, with continuous monitoring by senior authorities. Police patrols have been intensified, and investigations are ongoing as authorities work to identify more individuals linked to the clashes.