HC to hear Nartiang temple issue again today

SHILLONG/JOWAI: Hearing on Nartiang Durga temple issue by the High Court of Meghalaya will continue on Friday.
This was informed by West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Garod LSN Dykes.
The court heard the case on Thursday and fixed the date for further hearing on Friday with a direction that the West Jaintia Hills SP, DC and headman of Nartiang village should be present.
Several persons, including police personnel, were injured, some critically, when Nartiang villagers clashed with police during Durga Puja festival 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.
Trouble started when the headman brought in another priest, Swappon Bhattacharjee, as devotees were preparing for the rituals at the temple to be performed by Oni Muskut Deshmukh, a descendant of the traditional priest family.
Later, after hearing on the matter, the curt had prevented the priest brought by the headman of Nartiang to perform puja against the wishes of the majority of the residents.
Majority of the villagers had decided that the Durga Puja at Nartiang temple, will be conducted by Oni Maskut Deshmukh, the permanent priest of the temple and sought necessary assistance in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has issued an order that all arms license holders of Nartiang village should deposit their guns in Nartiang police station or Jowai police station till further notification.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, the order was issued in order to prevent any untoward incidents in the village.