Festivities take a violent turn, 3 cops injured
the goan I network
QUEPEM/PONDA
Holi festivities took a violent turn with groups clashes reported at Morpilla-Quepem and Mangueshi-Ponda on Thursday. While 3 policemen were injured and 29 persons booked in Morpilla, 40 persons were booked at Mangueshi.
In Morpilla, the clashes broke out between two groups during the annual Divja festival and locals claimed these rival groups have clashing for a number of years regarding the pooja to be performed on the eve of Holi festival.
Sources said that authorities had issued directives permitting one group to perform the pooja several years ago, but that evoked resentment among the rival group as they claimed to be the rightful villagers who should be performing the rituals.
In accordance with earlier directives, one group permitted to perform the pooja entered the temple and began the rituals, but that angered the other group members and they sent some ladies in the temple to perform the pooja.
This led to heated arguments between both groups and the issue took a political turn, with one group claiming to have the backing of the government. The other group, however, insisted on performing the pooja as per directives given to them by the Collector.
Some villagers opined that if both groups wanted to perform the pooja with true devotion, one group could have performed the rituals after the other group.
Amid clashes between the two groups, a Cuncolim police team was rushed to the site to control the situation.
However, three policemen
were injured as they tried to break up the fight and they were later treated for their injuries. Cuncolim police later booked 29 locals from both groups in this connection.
Another local said these fights between the two groups of villagers have gone on for many years and the issue is now taking a political turn, which has further destroyed the peace, unity and harmony among villagers.
At Mangueshi, 40 persons were booked on charges of pelting stones at the Bishnoi community, which was celebrating Holi at a controversial plot in Mangueshi. The accused are also alleged to have damaged their vehicles.
Sources said Ganpat Bishnoi has filed a police complaint against unknown persons for trespass and damage to their vehicles.
Since the last few years, locals from Mangueshi are opposing the development of plots in Kuncoliem-Ponda and had also agitated several times in this connection.
On Thursday morning, members of the Bishnoi community, who have purchased the plots, had gathered to celebrate Holi and their celebration evoked violent reactions from a group of persons.
This community had to run for their lives, after the unknown persons began pelting stones at them.
Ponda police has booked offences against the 40 persons under Sections 143, 147, 447, 504, 506,427 of IPC and is investigating the case.
