Meerut (UP), March 26 A man has been arrested and taken into custody for allegedly making inflammatory remarks following the vandalism of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, police said on Thursday.
According to police, someone had recently damaged Ambedkar's statue in Bhagwanpur village. Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control after pacifying the locals.
Law and order in the area has since been restored.
The controversy escalated on Wednesday when a man allegedly announced a reward of Rs 11 lakh for anyone who would sever the hands of those responsible for the vandalism, the police said.
The accused, identified as Haseen Yaseen, a resident of Abdulapur under Bhavanpur police station limits, was detained and booked under relevant legal provisions, police said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey said legal action has been initiated against the accused for the controversial remarks.
Pandey said five police teams have been formed to identify and arrest those involved in damaging the statue, and efforts are underway to solve the case at the earliest.