One of the main suspects in the alleged vandalisation of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Kanpur, which triggered widespread violent protests by Dalits across Maharashtra, was arrested on Thursday night and efforts were on to nab two of his accomplices.

Arun Valmiki, a resident of Sarojini Nagar, was arrested from Kanpur and has confessed to damaging the Ambedkar statue in Kakadeo area on Wednesday along with two associates, Senior Superintendent of Police P C Meena told PTI.

According to Meena, Valmiki told the police during interrogation that he and his friends were drunk at the time and they had no political affiliations.

The questioning of Valmiki brought to light the names of two more accused and police are conducting raids across the city in search of the duo, Meena said.

Seven persons, who were earlier taken into custody, were let off after interrogation, he added.