The Ganeshpuri villagers held a meeting yesterday to condemn the fencing around the life-size statue and said that they would "free" Shivaji Maharaj of it at any cost.
The all party 'Sangharsha Samiti' passed a resolution to this effect and also sought the intervention of local Sena MLA Shantaram More for removal of the fence.
More, accompanied by another party leader, met Bhiwandi's sub-divisional officer Sanjay Thithe in connection with the issue.
Meanwhile, the locals said that the Shivaji statue installed at the entrance of the town is the pride of the place and sought to know how could a private organisation do the fencing on the land belonging to the government.