Statue vandalisation spree: Centre urges states to act tough

Amid the sporadic incidents of statues vandalisation in some parts of India, the union government has issued a second advisory to the states, asking them to promptly investigate such incidents and prosecute the culprits.

The advisory urges the states to make District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control.

The directions come in the wake of a mob uprooting the statute of communist icon Vladimir Lenin in Tripura's Belonia, after the drubbing the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) faced in the recently held state assembly elections.

In another incident, a sculpture of social reformer and rationalist leader, Periyar, was vandalised on Tuesday in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district.

The latest advisory also asks the states to enhance patrolling in sensitive locations, promote community policing and check anti-social elements, besides taking preventive measures to ensure peace and harmony.

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the vandalisation spree as 'unfortunate and unjustified.'

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide security to the idols of the leaders in the state.