Rath yatra halts as policemen oppose 'lathi' wielding

Bhavnagar, Gujarat, June 27 (UNI) The organisers halted Lord Jagannath's yatra, which began from the city's Bhagawaneshwar temple this morning, for an hour when police objected to the wielding of 'lathis' by gymnasts and wrestlers of local wrestling teams.

The incident took place near Women's college when the police officials on duty raised an objection to wielding of batons by gymnasts.

The move irked the organisers of the yatra, who halted it after it had barely moved 500 metres from the temple.

The organisers said the yatra will proceed only after the local administration gives permission to carry on the yatra ''with all its traditional attractions.'' Later, the yatra proceeded on its course after senior police officials intervened and allowed the organisers to carry on the yatra with 'lathi' show.

UNI XR-MP GK YA ND1428