By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Former Leader of Opposition and sitting MLA Ajay Singh has sharply criticised the police department for allegedly obstructing the installation of a statue of the late veteran leader Srinivas Tiwari in Rewa. He described the move as “malicious” and an “insult” to the people of Vindhya.
Singh recalled that on 31 March 2018, the Rewa Municipal Corporation had unanimously passed a resolution to erect Tiwari’s statue at the SAF Square. A formal tender was issued on 30 December 2022, followed by a work order on 20 September 2023. Subsequently, the electricity department, the Road Development Authority and the Public Works Department all issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs). However, the police department withheld its clearance, bringing the project to a standstill.
The statue is scheduled to be unveiled on 17 September, Tiwari’s birth anniversary. Municipal officials had been working at the SAF Square for the past ten days, but police officers objected and halted the construction, claiming jurisdiction over the land. The municipal corporation, meanwhile, maintains that the land belongs to the Madhya Pradesh government.
Ajay Singh argued that since the land is under state ownership, whether under the corporation or the police, citing technical reasons to obstruct the project is unjustifiable. “Srinivas Tiwari was a son of the Vindhya soil and a widely respected mass leader. Preventing the installation of his statue at the last moment is nothing short of vindictive,” he said.
Singh urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to intervene immediately to resolve the deadlock. He appealed for prompt action so that the statue can be unveiled as planned on Tiwari’s birth anniversary, ensuring that the sentiments of the people of Vindhya are respected.
