Installation of statues sans permission poses problems

Installation of statues sans permission poses problems
M. Ilyas
Ongole, Aug. 23: Installation of statues of former chief ministers without any permission in Pamuru town is becoming a headache for the authorities. Followers of Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy are busy putting up his statues in all parts of the district before the forthcoming Odarpu Yatra of the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Congress leaders of the mandal identified a place opposite the R&B office in Pamuru. However TD leaders put up pillars to establish an NTR statue close to YSR’s overnight.

Sensing trouble, Pamuru SI M. Rajesh Kumar summoned both the TD and the Congress leaders and told them to obtain permission from the authorities concerned to set up the statues.

“We will not keep quiet if you occupy government land. You can go ahead with the work only after submitting the permission letter to us,” the SI told the local leaders in unequivocal terms.

According to information, the TD leaders are keen on setting up of an NTR statue on the same location and invite party leaders Harikrishna and Karanam Balaram for its inauguration.

Meanwhile, the TD district unit president, Mr Da-macharla Janardhan, questioned the rational behind establishing 250 YSR statues across the district without government permission.

Speaking to reporters at Markapur on Monday, he said that approval is a must from revenue, police and fire departments to erect statues adding that they would take the issue to the notice of the district collector. He warned that they would install NTR statues at the same places if Congress leaders violate the norms.