Tension during Bahuda Yatra in Jagatsinghpur, Several injured

Jagatsinghpur: The ongoing dispute over property of Nrusinghanath Mutt at Balikuda Khambakula in Jagatsinghpur district turned violent during pulling of chariot of the sibling deities during Bahuda Yatra on Friday.

Tension erupted after the 'Mahanta' of the mutt, Biswajit Das was opposed by some local villagers during conduct of the rituals yesterday. Protesting the entry of Mahanta, the villagers staged a demonstration and allegedly opposed him from performing the rituals. This subsequently resulted in a clash between the protestors and the police personnel. At least three to four persons have been injured in the scuffle, said sources.

It has also been alleged that the demonstrators damaged the wind screen of a PCR van.

Later, a few miscreants set afire the kitchen of the Mahanta at his native place following which three platoons of police force were deployed to maintain law and order.

“Some locals questioned the decision of police to allow Mahanta to perform the rituals. Based on a report filed by Balikuda inspector in-charge, we have registered a case and detained one person in this connection. Further investigation is on,” said Jagatsinghpur SDPO, Prakash Chandra Pal.