Four cops injured as two groups pelt stones over removal of idol in Ballari village

BALLARI: Two groups were involved in a clash, armed with sticks, stones and chilli powder, following a dispute over removal of an idol, which left four policemen injured at Kolagalla village in the taluk on Sunday. About 50 people have been taken into custody in connection with the violence.

The armed groups barged into the streets and attacked anyone on sight. The violence broke out after a court odered that an idol of Yerreppa Thata in the village be removed. Ballari Rural police inspector, sub-inspector and two police constables, who sustained injuries, were shifted to a hospital.

The injured police sub-inspector is undergoing treatment in hospital.

The Yerri Thatha Math of the Kuruba community in the village has a history of hundreds of years. The math was set up on land belonging to Yerri Thatha’s followers Jadepapa Thatha and Yarreppa Thata of the Scheduled Caste community. Yarreppa Thata passed on about 10 years ago and his grave has been built on the math premises. Hence, the Scheduled Caste community wanted to install an idol of Yarreppa Thata on the math premises.

However, some members of the Kuruba community strongly opposed this and aproached the court. However, even as the issue was pending in court, the SC community installed the Yarreppa Thata idol early one morning last month. Following this, the Kuruba community once again approached the court, which directed that the idol be removed and accordingly, it was removed on April 5.

However, the SC community members started arguing that the Yerri Thatha Math was set up on land belonging to Jadepapa Thatha and Yarreppa Thata and questioned the Kuruba community why they were objecting to installation of the idol, following which the violence broke out.

The police have imposed prohibitory orders under IPC Section 144 around the math and about 150 personnel have been deployed in the village.