Clash over right to perform rituals at Goa temple leaves several wounded, 38 booked

According to the police, the incident took place during the annual Kalotsav, when devotees of one community were allegedly stopped from entering the temple.

Written by Pavneet Singh Chadha

Panaji | Updated: January 16, 2025 08:25 AM IST

2 min read

At least 25 people were injured after a clash between two groups turned violent at Bhumika temple in North Goa’s Poriem Wednesday. Police said the situation was later brought under control.

The two communities – Gaonkar and Maijik – have been at loggerheads over the right to perform rituals at the temple for some time. According to the police, the incident took place during the annual Kalotsav, when devotees of one community were allegedly stopped from entering the temple.

A police officer said: “As the police tried to control the situation, the protests escalated and turned violent, resulting in some stone pelting and some chairs being thrown around. At least 25 people suffered injuries and some were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, the nature of injuries is not serious. A police inspector also sustained minor injuries”.

North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal said a case has been registered against 38 people at Valpoi police station.

“The videos and photos are being checked to identify others present. The police have written to deputy collector Sattari to initiate action against 12 persons who violated bond conditions by indulging in today’s violence,” he said.

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The incident comes three weeks after a similar confrontation took place between the two factions in relation to the anniversary of the Sankhleshwar Devasthan, which is associated with Bhumika Devasthan. In the ensuing stone pelting, a police sub-inspector had suffered injuries. Following the incident, the authorities had issued prohibitory orders and halted religious ceremonies temporarily at the temple.

The dispute was resolved after the deputy collector of the area revoked prohibitory orders and issued an order to reopen the temple, enabling devotees to hold the two-day religious celebrations.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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