More than 10 injured after two families clash over installing Ganesha idols in Chikkaballapur

CHIKKABALLAPUR, KOPPAL: At least ten people were injured after two families fought over installation of Ganesha idols and bursting of firecrackers at Andarlahalli in Chikkaballapur taluk on Friday night.

The families of Venkatesh and Mesti Anjanappa had installed separate Ganesha idols and an argument broke out on which was better. The family members also fought with weapons as the tensions escalated. Incidentally, both families live in the same building on differnt floors.

While Vinay and Naveen of Venkatesh’s family were admitted to a private hospital in Chikkaballapur, Ravichandra, Govinda, Rajashekar and Gowthami of Mesti Anjanappa’s family were admitted to the district hospital. Two others, Jayamma and Nithin, who were seriously injured were shifted to a hospital in Bengaluru. A case has been registered at the Chikkaballapur police station.

Meanwhile, at Gangavathi in Koppal district, youths participating in a Ganesha procession got into an argument with the police after the latter switched off th DJ music system at 9 pm, prompting a light lathicharge early on Saturday morning.

After the police switched off the DJ music system, the youths sat on protest alleging that the police are not allowing Dalit youths to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi. When attempts to placate them failed, the police resorted to light lathicharge.