Mumbai: An attempt was made to deface the statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, at Shivaji Park in Dadar area of central Mumbai early Wednesday morning.
Shivaji Park police has taken account of the incident and begun its probe following the CCTV footage to identify the individual responsible for the act.
According to reports, red paint was thrown on the bust between 6 am and 6:30 am by unknown individuals. CCTV footage shows a person near the statue around the time of the incident, following which an investigation to establish the person's identity has been launched.
Pertaining to the act, a tension broke out in the region, with a large number of Shiv Sena UBT workers cleaning the statue. Traces of paint were removed using thinner and the surrounding area was cleaned.
Party leaders, including MLAs and MPs visited the spot to take stock of the situation.
Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai said the act seemed to have been carried out by miscreants and called for immediate action to ensure similar incidents are not repeated.
"It is the failure of the government on the part of law and order in the state," he said.
Police have appealed to citizens to maintain peace and assured that necessary steps are being taken to identify the culprit.
Meenatai Thackeray, who passed away in 1995, is remembered with respect by Shiv Sena members. Her statue was installed at Shivaji Park shortly after her death and has remained in place for nearly three decades.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) is expected to hold its annual Dussehra rally at the same ground where the incident took place this morning.
