VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, June 24: Villagers and members of the Bhim army are up in arms against each other these days. This situation came after the Bhim army was charged with laying the foundation stone for the installation of the statue of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on the campus of the Durga temple complex in Kariyatpur in Barhi block. Angry villagers gave an application to the Barhi police station demanding action in this matter.
In their application to the police, the villagers charged block president of the Bhim Army, Laxman Ravidas, Rahul Kumar Das a.k.a Ramu Sunil Ravidas, Jitendra Ravidas, Rameshwar Ravidas, Sunil Ravidas, Anil Ravidas, Murli Kumar Das, Hemant Ravidas, Parash Sharan Dev and a few unknown for shouting slogans after assembling in Durga temple premises on June 20 at 5 pm. They later laid the foundation stone for the installation of the statue of Ambedkar.
The villagers have also said in their application that this Durga temple was established long back and people of all castes have been offering prayers together in a harmonious atmosphere and a grand fair is organised here during Durga Puja every year. These people are engaged with the intention of spoiling this peace and harmony, they added. The villagers said that the way the Bhim Army men are trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere will prove to be a challenge for the administration in the coming days. Due to this act of the Bhim Army, anger is seen among the villagers. In this regard, the villagers have also given a copy to Zilla Parishad member cum vice president Kishun Yadav and MP representative Doman Pandey.
When asked in this regard, Laxman Ravidas, block president of the Bhim Army, said that the allegation made is baseless. “We have laid the foundation to install the statue outside the temple premises,” he said. District Secretary of Bhim Army, Rahul Ambedkar said the place where the foundation is being laid for the installation of Baba Saheb’s statue is close to the Kariyatpur Baratand road which is away from the Durga temple. He further said they are not doing anything which is unlawful.
Barhi police inspector cum station in-charge Rohit Kumar Singh admitted getting a complaint in this regard. Necessary action will be taken after the investigation so that the peace of the area is not disturbed, he added.
