Chhindwara:
Despite restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional `Gotmar mela’ was held in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district on Wednesday. About 80 persons were injured in the annual event held in Pandhurna area, and a police vehicle was also damaged.
Gotmar is the annual fight between people of two villages where stones are hurled at opponents. The popular ritual is preceded by puja at a local temple. “Nearly 80 persons sustained injuries,” said district collector Sourabh Kumar Suman.
He said that the event was held in violation of section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure under which movement and gatherings had been restricted. “It was decided in the peace committee meeting that five members each from two villages will offer traditional flag at the Ma Chandika temple and thereafter the ritual will end without traditional mela, but people did not follow this,” a district official said.
People gathered in large numbers and started throwing stones at each other, the collector said. Those injured were discharged from hospital after primary treatment.
A probe has been initiated, the collector said..
