MADURAI: The statue of AIADMK supremo and former CM MG Ramachandran was found damaged at the Vadivasal of Avaniyapuram Jallikattu venue on Monday. Party cadres have alleged that the statue was vandalised by some unknown miscreants on Sunday late hours. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the act.
VV Rajan Chellappa, Thiruparankundram MLA and Rural East District Secretary, said that this statue was installed around 35 years ago, in 1990, at the Vadivasal of Avaniyapuram Jallikattu venue, and some unknown miscreants damaged the statue.
Thousands of people, including school and college students, use this road daily as their institutions are located in the vicinity. The lack of safety for a late leader’s statue indicates poor law and order maintenance. He added that the police should increase patrols in the locality and find the miscreants as soon as possible and arrest them.
He also stated that they have submitted a petition seeking to replace the damaged statue with a new one. According to the Avaniyapuram police, who are conducting the investigation, it is unsure whether the statue was damaged by miscreants or if it fell off accidentally.
As the investigation is in its preliminary stage, they are currently checking the CCTV footage. The 2.5 ft statue was covered in a shrine with a small gate (aedicule), and it was not locked. People on a regular basis paid floral tributes to the statue, and it is believed that this happened between 11 pm on Sunday and 6 am on Monday.
Meanwhile, in a statement, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, expressing strong condemnation, said that this is a cowardly act and a disgraceful deed committed by those who lack the courage to confront the legacy and immortal ideals of the leader. He also urged the state government to act swiftly against such anti-social elements.