VALPOI
A policeman was reportedly injured in a stone-pelting incident as tension prevailed in Poriem over a dispute between two groups of devotees over rights to perform rituals at a temple.
Attempts were also made to block the Keri-Belagavi highway in the area but were thwarted by the police force.
Following ongoing tensions between the two groups over rights to conduct rituals, the Sattari Sub-Divisional Magistrate had decided to order the closure of the temple until December 24.
Tensions had escalated on Friday when some members of one group conducted rituals early in the morning, leading to protests by the other group.
Some members staged a protest outside the SDM’s office in the afternoon to demand that cases be filed against those who had violated the previous order.
The SDM then held talks with the Valpoi police inspector, Videsh Shirodkar, and it was later decided to register a case against four persons.
When Valpoi police booked four persons, this provoked anger among members of their group, and they rushed to the temple premises, demanding the withdrawal of the order closing the temple until December 24 and the withdrawal of cases against the four persons.
Some individuals are alleged to have pelted stones, and one policeman was reportedly injured in this incident. Police foiled attempts by some individuals to block the Belagavi-Keri highway.
The area remained tense until late Friday night, while government and police officials were expected to visit the site to take stock of the situation.
