MAPUSA
Unknown miscreants vandalised the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Karasvaddo, Mapusa evoking spontaneous protests on Monday morning even as an ultimatum was given to the police to investigate into the incident and arrest the culprits within a week’s time.
Later in the evening a new statue of the Maratha warrior king was installed at the spot in the presence of Archives and Archeology Minister, Subhash Phaldesai and Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet and former union law minister Ramakant Khalap.
Reacting on the vandalisation of the statue, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the act was the handiwork of people who want to disturb peace.
“Such incidents are planned to disturb the peace of the State,” Sawant said, after attending a function in Mapusa.
Soon after the news of vandalisation of the statue went viral several people gathered in front of the statue. The Shiv premis protested against the desecration of the statue and demanded strict action against the perpetrators of the crime.
The police had covered the statue with a cloth after some miscreants damaged the head of Shivaji’s statue
SP North, Nidhin Valsan informed that based on a complaint lodged by a local Mahableshwar Toraskar an FIR was lodged against unknown persons and the investigation was taken up by the Mapusa police.
“We are analyzing the CCTV footage available here. We have also rounded up some suspects and are interrogating them. We have also roped in the crime branch and sought help from the forensic team,” Valsan told The Goan.
He said the police have spoken to various stakeholders who have shown faith in Goa Police.
“We will deliver as per their expectations,” he added.
Various groups of Shiv premis demanded a time-bound investigation in the episode to identify and net the culprits involved in the dastardly crime.
“The investigation has to be done within a certain time limit and the culprits should be brought to book. Nobody should give a communal twist to this incident. We are all working hand in hand. There is no communal disharmony here,” said Prashant Walke, of Swaraj Gomantak.
Sushant of Bajrang Dal said if the accused involved in the incident was not arrested within a certain period of time then they would be forced to hold a protest against the desecration of the statue.
Several politicians also visited the site and condemned the incident.
“Shivaji was a tall leader. He was my idol too as a child. We must know to respect all tall leaders because they have made India what it is today,” said Carlos Ferreira, Aldona MLA.
“We will request the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to provide us a plot where we can put a good statue which will offer us a place to even hold a function,” he added.
Fisheries Minister and Tivim MLA Nilkant Harlankar and Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza also visited the spot.
Reacting to the vandalism of the statue of Shivaji, Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the Goa government was shamefully inadequate not only to protect Goemkars but also great nationalist heroes like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“They have one again proved to be a miserable failure in performing even their basic duty of offering protection to life and property. The people of Goa have no trust left in the incompetent police or the spineless government. I demand the immediate arrest of the culprits and my request to all Goemkars is to remain peaceful and calm,” Sardesai said.
