Boy killed, 37 injured during ritualistic clash at Devaragattu

A 12-year-old boy was killed in a stampede at a religious festival organised near a temple in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, police said on Saturday.

Also, 37 devotees were injured during a mock fight organised as part of Banni festival at Devaragattu temple late last night, Shiv Ram Reddy, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Adoni Sub-Division, said. The deceased was identified as one Mahesh, a resident of Neraniki village.

A large crowd had gathered for the festival and the boy was watching the event. There was a sudden rush of people and the boy got crushed under their feet, he said. Banni, devoted to Lord Malamalleswara Swamy, is an annual event that takes place at Devaragattu under Holagunda mandal. It is held on the occasion of Dussehra where thousands of devotees armed with clubs beat each other as part of a ritual.

At least 37 devotees suffered minor injuries as they beat each other with clubs during the ritual, the senior police officer said. After completion of the ritual, two groups clashed in the early hours of today and pelted stones at each other. However, police immediately intervened and resorted to lathi- charge to disperse the mob and restore order, he said.

A case under CrPC Section 174 (accidental death) was lodged in connection with the boy's death. A separate offence was filed with regard to the stone pelting, the DSP said. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed and prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 clamped in three mandals, including Aluru and Holagunda, in Kurnool district in view of the festival.

The event attracts a large gathering of devotees from over 50 villages in Andhra Pradesh and from Bellary district in neighbouring Karnataka. The 'Banni' festival this year saw participation from around 70,000 people, police said.