Nayagarh: A statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Timiria village under Ranpur police limits in the district was damaged by some miscreants, triggering a protest by locals who have demanded arrest of the accused.
According to sources, some local youths vandalised the statue in an inebriated condition late last night.
The desecration of the statue of the Father of the Nation has invited widespread condemnation in the area following which Timiria villagers lodged a complaint in this connection at Ranpur police station.
"Such disrespect towards the Father of the Nation is appalling. It's a shameful act. We demand stringent action against the accused involved," said a local, Prafulla Mahapatra.
Meanwhile, police assured that the accused would be nabbed soon. "We are investigating into it. Stringent action will be taken against those found guilty," said Inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Ranpur PS, Baidyanarayan Bhoi.