SAMBALPUR: Tension gripped Sambalpur University campus on Tuesday after a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, installed along with statues of three local freedom fighters, was found lying broken. The statue was unveiled on Monday.
Locals, led by general secretary of District Congress Committee Girija Nayak, gheraoed Vice-Chancellor C R Tripathy and demanded an explanation.
He said the university should step up security for upkeep and maintenance of the statues.
Students, led by president of Students’ Union of the university, Manas Bharas, also called on the Vice-Chancellor over the matter. However, he said the statue, which was freshly installed, could have fallen down due to strong gale on Monday night. The Vice-Chancellor said the university has lodged a complaint with Burla Police.