Tension grips Goa's Valpoi town over erecting statue of Shivaji

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Panaji: Tension gripped Valpoi town in North East part of Goa on Saturday night when a group allegedly tried to install a statue of Shivaji in the area.

Police said two groups were protesting against each other on the road during midnight, creating tension in the town, located 50 kms of Panaji.

The trouble began this evening after a mob led by BJP leaders Prashant Desai, Demu Gaonkar, Roshan Desai, Uday Sawant, Dasharath Mandrekar and others allegedly demolished an installation which was put up by Valpoi municipal council as part of town's beautification, they said.

As per the complaint filed with Valpoi police, the group after "demolishing" the structure tried to install statue of Shivaji triggering protest by the locals.

Valpoi Municipal Council has already filed a police complaint against the group, which was seen on the street even till midnight.

"This is an attempt to create tension between communities by BJP. I appeal to people not to take law and order in their hands," local Congress legislator Vishwajit Rane told PTI.

He said that no construction could come up in the municipal jurisdiction without proper permission.

Police said that the situation is tense but under control. The police presence has been increased in the town.

Valpoi constituency has been a Congress dominated area which has Rane representing it in the State Legislative Assembly.