Prohibitory orders clamped ahead of mock fight at temple fest

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC banning any gathering of four or more people, has been imposed in three mandals of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh today in view of the mock fight (Banni) at Devaragattu temple festival, police said.
Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed at different locations and section 144 was clamped in three mandals, including Aluru and Holagunda, in Kurnool, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Adoni Sub-Division, Shiv Ram Reddy, said.
"The order which has been imposed at 10 am today, will be in force till 10 am tomorrow," the DSP said.
'Banni' festival of Lord Malamalleswara Swamy, an annual event at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal in Kurnool is held on the occasion of Dussehra where thousands of devotees armed with clubs beat each other as part of the ritual (scheduled in the late hours of tonight), resulting in bleeding injuries to scores.

The idols are kept in the safe custody at Neraniki village and taken to the temple, four km away, before the festival.
During the procession, the residents of Kothapet and neighbouring villages try to hijack the idols to their village. The residents of Neraniki and its hamlets defend themselves and the deities with clubs.
The event attracts a large gathering of devotees from over 50 villages in Andhra Pradesh and from Bellary district in Karnataka.