VALPOI
Clashes erupted among two groups claiming rights to the Ravalnath Devasthan in Velus-Sattari, prompting the Sattari Mamlatdar to lock the temple and stop the Dussehra celebrations at the Devasthan.
According to locals, the Gaonkar and Gurav groups have been involved in a dispute over rights to the Ravalnath temple for about 10 years and the dispute is pending in court. On Thursday, a group of villagers had submitted a letter to Sattari Mamlatdar Dashrath Gawas, alleging that the Gurav group was trying to assert its rights to the temple.
The Gaonkar group also decided to participate in the traditional Dussehra festival on Friday.
The traditional Dussehra festival began at the temple on Friday afternoon, when clashes broke out between both groups.
A large police force led by Valpoi Police Inspector Harish Gawas and Bicholim Police Inspector Mahesh Gadekar later brought the situation under control.
When efforts to resolve the issue among both groups failed, Sattari Mamlatdar Dashrath Gawas decided to lock the temple at about 3 pm to prevent a further law and order problem.
He has convened a meeting of both groups in his office on Monday to resolve the conflict.
Meanwhile, many devotees expressed displeasure over the tension in the vicinity of the temple, forcing authorities to lock the temple and leading to the suspension of rituals.
