Dussehra festivities claim life in AP

Kurnool, Oct 3 (UNI) One person was killed and hundreds of people suffered head injuries, three seriously, in a clash during Dussehra festivities in Devaragutta village of this district last night.

Police resorted to 'mild' caning to disperse thousands of clashing devotees from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh and Bellary district in neighbouring Karnataka, who clashed with sticks in a traditional ritual on the night of 'Vijayadasami' day, police said.

As per tradition, villagers of Devaragutta take out a procession of Lord Malla Malleswara Swami and beat with sticks devotees from neighbouring villages, who try to snatch the idol away believing that prosperity will prevail if the Lord is in their village.

The injured villagers apply 'Sindhur' and neither go to doctors for treatment nor complain to the police.

The deceased was identified as Chakalki Lakshmayya (35) from Nerikiri village.

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