VALPOI: The Valpoi Municipal Council has removed the statue of Shivaji Maharaj that caused controversy from Hath wada junction, Valpoi at 5.30 am on Thursday. A high security police force was present and Section 144 was also imposed around the vicinity.
“We had taken the decision to remove Shivaji Maharaj Statue, in our municipal administrative meeting. The statue was installed illegally in Municipal council property without any permission,” Chief Officer Cynthia Mesquita said.
Meanwhile, all the Shiv Premi from Taluka led a morcha to the Valpoi Municipal Council and condemned the Municipality for its decision. The Shiv Premi demanded to install the Shivaji Maharaj Statue again at same junction, otherwise they said they would protest against the Valpoi Municipal Council.
The Sattari Shiv Premi held a secret meeting on Thursday evening in which they decided to observe a ‘Bandh Sattari’ on Saturday. Also they have filed a written complaint against Valpoi Municipal Council Chief Officer Cynthia Mesquita that she has removed the Shivaji Statue illegally.
“While removing the Shivaji Maharaj Statue from Hathwada Junction, the Valpoi Municipal Council has hurt the feelings of the Hindu people. Now we demand the Valpoi Municipal Council to install the Shivaji statue again otherwise there might be the violence in Taluka,” said Gaurish Gawas, a Shiv Premi.
“Over 3,000 people had gathered and installed that Shivaji Maharaj Statue, last year and the Valpoi Municipal council has removed it within a minute. This action is not correct; now we will protest against the Valpoi Municipal Council. The Valpoi Municipal Council building has been illegally built,” said another Shiv Premi Vishwaraj Sawant.
“The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the idol of whole Indian people. And by removing the Shivaji Maharaj statue, it has hurt people’s feelings. There are many illegal things and illegality is going on in Valpoi Municipality since past two decades, but no one is taking action on them,” said another Shiv Premi.
“Removing the statue early in the morning shows there is dirty politics played by all councillors. We will not keep quiet but will come on road against the Valpoi Municipal Council,” said Hanumant Parab, a Shiv Premi.
