Tension gripped Nurpur Jattan village in Hoshiarpur district after unidentified miscreants vandalised a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar late last night. The incident has triggered concern among local residents and authorities, prompting heightened security in the area.
According to information, the statue was damaged using blunt objects, with its face defaced and protective glass panels shattered. The glass shield and lighting system installed around the statue were also broken. These measures had earlier been put in place following a previous incident of vandalism.
Notably, the statue had also been targeted in June 2025, when it was vandalised and pro-Khalistan graffiti and slogans were found at the site, raising similar concerns at the time.
Present on the spot, Sarpanch Shingara Ram confirmed the damage and said that residents gathered at the spot soon after the incident came to light. “The statue has been desecrated, and the protective arrangements have also been destroyed. People are upset, and we have informed the authorities,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Garhshankar MLA Jai Krishan Rouri visited the site along with police officials to assess the situation. He assured strict action against those responsible and appealed for peace and communal harmony.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the culprits. Security has been tightened in and around the village to prevent any escalation.
Authorities have urged residents to maintain calm and not pay heed to rumours or provocative content circulating on social media. Officials reiterated that strict action would be taken against anyone found attempting to disturb communal harmony.
The incident comes amid concerns over attempts by certain fringe elements to create unrest, and officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure law and order is maintained.
