Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Mar 16: Two gangs came to blows during the annual fair of goddess Durgaparameshwari temple at Iruvail near here on Saturday, March 14 night. Relating to the pitched battle, some were injured, and a group of devotees staged a protest in front of the police station seeking the immediate arrest of the guilty.

A gang had assaulted some people. When the victims of the attack were being taken to hospital, the same gang again blocked the vehicle and beat up the people. This triggered anger among a section of devotees who demanded the arrest of the accused.

When the 'Bali' religious procedure in the presence of Daiva Patri was in progress on March 9, the police had intervened and stopped the procedure from progressing further because of a persisting dispute. Protesters accused the police of damaging the sanctity and faith of the temple. They said that a gang has been opposing various programmes of the temple since a year, and raised slogans, accusing the police of taking unilateral steps.

Panambur assistant commissioner of police, K U Belliappa, visited the spot and held discussions with the protesters. After Belliappa promised the protesters to make an effort to sort out the issue after holding talks with the villagers as the dispute relates to religious matter, the protesters withdrew the protest.

Prasad Shetty provided information to the assistant commissioner of police on behalf of the protesters.

The other gang said that a gang has been opposing in the matter of Daiva Patri since a year. When Hosamaraya Daiva Kola was about to begin, members of a gang talked ill of the Patri, which gave rise to discontentment. Those who questioned this attitude were assaulted. When those who were beaten up were being taken to hospital, the same gang intercepted the vehicle at Mastikatte and attacked them again. "False cases have been hoisted against some people from this side. Religious matters of the temple are compromised with because of political considerations and police interference," the devotees stated.

Another gang raised slogans hailing the police and administrators for sticking to circular issued by the government. They said that the temple managing committee has not been convening meetings, not taking people into confidence, and running administration at their will. They said that the temple funds have been misused and that the Daiva Patri who had done injustice to his job last year was again invited this year for the Kola programme. They questioned the rationale of holding Kola in violation of government circular and appointing the same Patri without putting through the divine query, Ashtamangala.