India, April 9 -- Police in Marathwada are struggling to explain a mysterious phenomenon across several districts - statues of Maratha warrior kings Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Sambhaji have begun appearing, often overnight, in public places.

In the last six weeks, more than three dozen statues have surfaced in prominent public spaces such as in temple complexes, at village entrances, near national highways and next to the statues of national leaders.

The phenomenon has already sparked tension: on April 2, clashes broke out in Anjangaon village in Solapur district between the Dhangar and Maratha communities over a Shivaji statue installed at the Kheloba Devasthan, dedicated to a local deity.

Beed police alone have registered 32...