Tableaux controversy: normalcy returns in Karnataka town

Mangalore, Oct 2 (UNI) Normalcy returned in Bajpe town near here today after tension prevailed between two communities over a tableaux depicting a goddess, during the Dasara festivities that left a few people injured in stone pelting.

The two groups argued over the tableaux of Goddess Sharada in the Navratri procession which one of them claiming that it hurt their feelings hence be removed. The other said the goddess was the presiding deity of the Dakshina Kannada district and no communal intention was involved.

After a heated argument the two groups threw stones at each other, on vehicles and shops before police intervened and pacified the mob. Police today clamped ban orders and SP D Dayanand rushed to the spot. Deputy Commissioner and the SP convened a meeting and persuaded the people to resume the procession.

The procession resumed this evening and later the statue of the goddess was immersed in Gurupura river as per the tradition.

Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements have been made in the city for the conduct of Sharadadevi procession from Gokarnanatha temple as culmination of ten-day Dasara festivities.

UNI MA RS RKN1834