The statue that has gone missing

Cuttack, Nov. 2: A bust of freedom fighter Binod Kanungo has gone missing from a pedestal at Khannagar.

Kanungo was not only a freedom fighter and Gandhian, but also a social reformer and celebrated compiler of the largest encyclopaedia in the Odia language — Gyanamandala (Circle of Knowledge).

In response to a complaint lodged by socio-cultural organisation, Maitree Sansad, Cuttack deputy commissioner of police Pravin Kumar has ordered a probe into the incident. “The inspector in charge of Badambadi police station has been asked to conduct the inquiry and take appropriate action,” said Kumar.

Cuttack Municipal Corporation had installed the statue for his pioneering role in compiling an encyclopaedia in Odia. The bust was unveiled at Mallachandia Chhakh in Khan Nagar by Cuttack MP Bhatruhari Mahtab on August 9.

“It is most unfortunate that Kanungo’s statue has gone missing in less than three months of its unveiling. The vandalism came to our notice on October 26 and we lodged the complaint on October 30,” Maitree Sansad president Ajay Mohanty said.

“A case has been registered in connection with the missing statue. We suspect it to be an act of mischief. Investigation is on,” said Ranjit Prusty, the inspector in charge of Badambadi police station.