Date:21/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/21/stories/2007092152360300.htm

Karnataka

Eight injured in clash during Ganesh procession

Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE: Eight persons were injured, two of them seriously, in a clash that broke out between people of two communities during a Ganesh procession at Kunduru village in Honnali taluk on Wednesday night.

However, the police who resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob succeeded in bringing the situation under control within minutes after the incident. Additional police forces have been posted at the village.

According to reports, an idol of Lord Ganesh was taken in a procession by the youth of the village and while the procession was passing out through a lane where people of a community were dominantly residing, wet mud reportedly splashed on a few persons of a community following the dance by Ganesh devotees. This allegedly led to argument and counter-arguments and a few anti-social elements allegedly threw footwear at the procession. Immediately, a clash broke out between the two communities. The police resorted to lathi-charge and dispersed the groups.

Additional police force arrived at the village after the incident and brought the situation under control. Meanwhile, the police took the Ganesh idol and completed all the formalities. The police claimed that situation was under control.