Sultanpur,

Sept 17 (HS): According to authorities, a monument of Mahatma Gandhi was

vandalized in a village nearby, causing fury among locals. A police official

said that an investigation had been initiated to identify the perpetrators. In

1996, locals built the monument near Chhedawari hamlet on the Lucknow-Ballia

Highway. Police claimed it was vandalized on Monday night.

Tarun

Kumar Patel, in-charge of the Motigarpur Police Station, stated that we

will soon arrest those responsible for the vandalism and repair the statue in

accordance with administrative directives. Every year, officials and

local residents pay respect to the statue as part of the area's Gandhi Jayanti

celebrations. According to the villagers, beautification work on the monument

will begin shortly.

Amarjeet

Pandey, who has been involved in the statue's maintenance, stated, We

have been cleaning and preserving the statue for years. It has previously been

repaired with community assistance. The vandalism has caused significant

anguish among local people. He called for immediate action against the

culprits.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi