A statue of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik at Siali Beach in Jagatsinghpur district was allegedly vandalised by unidentified miscreants late Wednesday night.
Tourists and locals discovered the statue in a damaged condition on Thursday morning, sparking anger and resentment in the area. Residents condemned the act at a prominent tourist destination and demanded that those responsible be identified and arrested immediately.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances behind the incident and identify the culprits. Authorities said stronger security arrangements and increased night patrolling at Siali Beach are likely to be considered to prevent such incidents in the future.
