PONDA
Dussehra celebrations at Mallikarjun Devastan Khandola took a violent turn when two locals allegedly attacked fellow villagers with a sword, after claiming their right to decorate the ‘Tarang’ and to perform the service. Three persons sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Ponda Police arrested Gurudas Gaude and his brother, Gokuldas, on charges of attacking the villagers, removing the idol from the Sanctum Sanctorum and damaging the ‘Tarang’(decorated pole). The Tarang is decorated with a ‘kapad’ (nine yard saree).
According to sources, the villagers had gathered to decorate the temple and Tarang on the eve of Dussehra. However in the wee hours of Tuesday, the accused Gurudas Gaude went into the temple and allegedly created a ruckus by spoiling the decoration of ‘Tarang’, after claiming it was his right to worship it.
Other committee members rushed to the temple and the accused was asked to leave the temple. He was not allowed in the temple, but later at about 9 am, he barged into the temple and removed the idol. His brother also
joined him.
The accused, who were arguing with the villagers, allegedly attacked them with a sword. Riddhesh Sukhtanker, Pradip Haldankar and Surya Jalmi were injured in the
incident.
Police were summoned to the site and later detained the accused. Ponda Deputy Collector Paresh Fal Dessai also rushed to the spot. About 400 villagers had gathered near the temple following the
incident.
The villagers got furious after the accused removed the idol, but the police controlled the law and order situation in the area.
Mallikarjun Devastan along with other four temples are affiliated to Shantadurga temple. Its president Siddhesh Sukhtanker lodged a complaint in this connection and has sought justice. “Both the accused assaulted the villagers with sword and stones,” he claimed.
Police Inspector Sudesh Naik said case has been registered based on Sukhtanker’s complaint.
Ponda Police has registered the offense under Sections 295 and 324 of IPC.
