Kurnool: Around 40 revellers were injured at Devaragattu temple festival on Thursday night near Aluru in Kurnool district. Six of them were reported to have sustained serious injuries requiring intensive treatment. Meanwhile, the police and revenue authorities heaved a sigh of relief saying that the festival passed off peacefully without any serious tragedy.
Superintendent of police A. Ravi Krishna, who camped at the place to supervise the security arrangements, spoke to the media and said the level of violence has drastically declined this year when compared to previous years. “We are even looking forward that the violence would be totally brought under control year after year with people realising the importance of celebrating the festival in a peaceful atmosphere.”
Devaragattu temple, devoted to Mala Malleswara Swamy which is located on a hillock in the forest area, 12 km away from Aluru. The ancient temple attracts a huge crowd from scores of villages in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for its Dasara festival. More than one lakh devotees have witnessed the festival this year.
The devotees armed with clubs fight a mock battle to hijack the processional deities around midnight during which time some of them get injured seriously. The devotees from Neraniki armed with sticks put up a stiff resistance to protect the deities resulting in an open clash. The devotees believe that it will fetch good tidings if they hijack the processional deities.
The police registered cases in the past when villagers indulged in serious violence to settle old scores and committed murders under the guise of the temple procession. The district administration and police have been undertaking a campaign every year to wean public away from violence.
Mr Ravi Krishna opined that the violence would be brought down completely if the festival was conducted in a peaceful manner and if celebrated during day time instead night. Now, the procession is being taken out in the light from the giant wicks held by devotees. In the melee nobody knows what is happening and who is getting injured by whose attack.
All the injured persons were rushed to the Adoni Government General Hospital. The injured used to smear powder to the injuries rather than medicines.
