JOWAI: Over 40 persons, including several police personnel, were injured, some critically, when Nartiang villagers clashed with police late on Monday night as the tussle over appointment of priest at Nartiang Durga Temple spiralled out of control despite the district administration’s intervention in finding an amicable solution earlier in the day.
Trouble started around midnight when devotees were preparing for the rituals at the temple at 2am to be performed by Oni Muskut Deshmukh, a descendant of the traditional priest family, and the headman brought in another priest.
The devotees prevented the other priest from entering the temple. The scuffle flared up as police used force to disperse the crowd.
A team of police personnel, including women constables, led by ASP P Syiem and Assistant Commandant SF-10 Qeenie Fancon, lathi-charged the devotees, most of whom were villagers of Nartiang. In retaliation, the villagers attacked the police with stones, burning firewood and sharp weapons.
Twenty-two villagers and 19 cops were injured, many of them grievously. They were admitted in a hospital in Shillong.
The ASP had to take three stitches after being hit by a stone on the head.
One SI of Nartiang police station, Romit Syngkon was hit on the back of his head and in his eye. He was rushed to Shillong Civil Hospital and later shifted to Guwahati. According to police, the head injury was critical as he had to be given 13 stitches.
A constable, Aprilson Marak, of 4th MLP Battalion was admitted in ICU with critical head injury and internal injury. Fancon had a fractured hand.
The district magistrate imposed Section 144 restricting gathering of more than five persons and carrying of weapons within 200m radius of the temple.
On Monday afternoon, the district administration held a meeting with both the parties at the DC’s chamber. Deputy Commissioner Garod LSN Dykes and SP Lakador Syiem warned all residents against creating disturbance during Durga Puja.
He had also referred to the court order that directed imprisonment of trouble-mongers. On Tuesday morning, devotees and tourists from Assam and other parts of the state were seen visiting the temple in an orderly manner.
The puja will continue and rituals will be performed by Oni Muskut.
The newly appointed priest Swappon Bhattacharjee was escorted into the temple by the police. Security was also strengthened in and around the over 600-year-old temple.
Religious elders, including the head of the priest U Lyngdoh, were seen preparing for the rituals on Tuesday. “Durga Puja will last till Friday and we have strengthened our forces to tackle with any disturbances during the celebrations,” the SP said.