Berhampur: At least 22 people have been arrested for indulging in violence and attacking police personnel during ‘Yogamma Yatra’ at a village in Golanthara area of Odisha’s Ganjam district.
As per sources, the incident took place at Pati Sunapur village under the jurisdiction of Golanthara Police Station in the district on Sunday night.
What began as a gathering of villagers spiralled into a violent confrontation with police, leaving six personnel injured and multiple government vehicles damaged.
Locals said there was a tussle between two groups over the Yatra. One group wanted to organise on May 11 while the other group planned to do it towards end of this month.
A large number of villagers, both men and women, armed with crude weapons including lathis, stones, and even petrol bombs, stormed the main village road at Patisunapur Square. Their motive was to halt the ongoing yatra in protest.
Due to the clash between these two groups, the yatra did not take place on the May 11 but only the puja was held.
In view of the prevailing tension, the administration has imposed restrictions under section 163 in the village where police force was deployed as a precautionary measure.
Following the violence, the police have arrested around 22 people in connection with the incident.