Policemen guard Maya's statue wealth across UP

Prarthna Gahilote , CNN-IBN
Posted on Jul 06, 2009 at 03:41 | Updated Jul 06, 2009 at 16:46

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New Delhi: UP Police has a new job at hand. Guarding statues of Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati herself. This has come after the Supreme Court served the UP chief minister with a notice asking her to justify erecting new statues for Dalit pride with taxpayers money.

In Lucknow, the seat of Dalit power, the men in uniform have a new job. They musr guard and protect the symbols of Dalit empowerment installed all over the state in the form of statues by the Mayawati government.

Facing criticism for spending 1200 crore rupees over 40 odd statues of Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and herself in the state Mayawati is now worried about the safety of the statues. So, the 24-hour khaki vigil has been installed.

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "It has become a habit with many state governments that they begin projects and lay foundations stones without adequate clearance from envirionmental and forest ministries. This cannot be allowed to go on for long. We are looking at taking stern action."

Over 400 constables all over the state are on a dedicated statue protection duty. Senior officers are taking their new assignment seriously.

DIG, Kanpur, Neera Rawat has even directed all Station officers at all police posts to conduct inspections of these statues every 12 hours, themselves. They have also been told to file a formal report after the inspection on a daily basis, failing which, they are liable to punishment.

Neera Rawat, DIG, Kanpur said, "All the areas in-charges and beat-officers whose areas house the statue of Dr Ambedkar, they have to make a daily check of security of these statues and make notes of the visits."

This paranoia comes at a time when the Supreme Court has sent Mayawati a notice on these new statues all over Lucknow and even closer to the national Capital in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

In response to a PIL, the Supreme Court wants to hear from Mayawati's lawyers the justification for these creations.

More on: Mayawati, Statues, Kanshi Ram, Uttar Pradesh, Dalits