Traditional stick fight leaves Over 70 injured

Amaravati, Oct 6: More than 70 people were injured in the traditional fight with sticks during Dussehra celebrations in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district.
Like every year, two groups attacked each other with sticks during Banni Utsav held as part of celebrations at Devaragattu village in Holagonda ‘mandal’ (block) late on Wednesday.
The injured were admitted to hospitals at Adoni and Alur and the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.
The stick-fight is organised every year as part of Dussehra celebrations at Mala Malleswara Swamy temple located on a hillock. Like in the past, the villagers defied the police orders to organise the fight, which they claim to be part of their tradition.
As part of the annual celebrations, people from different villages divide in two groups to fight with sticks to secure the idols of the deity.
This year, the fight was delayed due to rains. The fight led to a huge traffic jam in the area. A boy died on the way to participate in the celebrations. The boy was identified as Ravindranath Reddy, hailing from Karnataka. (IANS)