India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a Hindu deity Vishnu statue in a disputed area along the Thailand–Cambodia border, calling the incident deeply hurtful to religious sentiments worldwide. Cambodian officials accused the Thai army of destroying the statue with an excavator on Monday in the Preah Vihear region, following more than two weeks of armed clashes between the two neighbours.

According to Cambodia, the statue—constructed in 2014—was located inside its territory, around 100 metres from the Thai border. However, Google Maps data suggests the site lies approximately 400 metres from the border. Thai military authorities have not issued any official response to the allegations.

The incident comes amid a renewed escalation of a long-standing border dispute, which has reportedly killed more than 40 people and displaced nearly one million civilians. A video circulating on Thai social media showing the statue’s destruction has been verified as authentic by AFP. India urged both sides to return to dialogue and protect cultural and religious heritage while seeking a peaceful resolution.

Source : Barron