Kurnool: Every year, on Vijayadashami day, people across 13 villages in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh participate in traditional stick fights and the affair turns bloody almost every time.
According to reports, the ritual happens at Devaragattu of Holgunda mandal in the district and is also known as 'Banni festival.'
The villages, divided into several groups, fight each other during the procession of the idols of Sri Malleswara Swamy and Sri Malamma, whose celestial wedding is performed on the Dasami night.
The idol is carried through different areas including Sami Vruksham and Basavannagudi under the torch lights. Not just from the state, but devotees from Telangana and Karnataka turn up every year to take part in the festival, increasing the footfall to a total of one lakh.
The police had made strong arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. Besides, District medical health officials also prepared a 30-bed temporary health centre for the injured.
However, the efforts of the police to prevent violence have shown little results as over 70 people were reportedly injured during the stick fight. They were rushed to Adoni hospital for treatment.
The Police deployed 1000 personnel along with CCTV cameras and drones. They also resorted to counselling people of Devaragattu against using sticks. Awareness programme and multiple check-points to curb the inflow of alcohol and sticks also did not aid much, as their advice fell in deaf ears.
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