MP: 168 people injured during stone pelting festival in Chhindwara

At least 168 people were injured during the annual Gotmar festival in Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. The area where the festival took place was monitored by the police personnel and drones.

Chhindwara: As many as 168 people suffered injuries during the annual "Gotmar" (stone-pelting) festival in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, the administration said on Saturday.

Chhindwara District Collector Shriniwas Sharma said: "About 168 people have been injured, though their injuries are not grave."

He said that the area, where the festival took place, was monitored by the police personnel and drones.

A case has been registered against those found using catapults to fling stones, Sharma added.

During the festival, residents of Pandhurna and Sawargaon villages gather on the opposite sides of the Jam river bank and pelt stones at each other as a part of a centuries-old tradition.