TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: Law enforcement authorities played a crucial role enforcing peaceful celebration of the annual Shigmothsav Zatra at Avali-Cotigao, which has been troubled by group rivalry in recent years.
Following months of intense negotiations, the traditional Zatra of Sinhampurush of Avali-Cotigao was celebrated on Thursday night amid traditional fervour.
It may be recalled that Avali, a remote area comprising about 200 residential households in Cotigao village, has had a troubled Shigmo-related Zatra since the past few years over the right to carry the Tarangs (Sontreo) on the occasion. According to sources, residents practice the ritual of traditionally bringing out six Tarangs and Divjam to the Sinhampurush Temple during the occasion. Amid claims that a seventh Tarang was also brought out around two decades ago, some locals tried to revive the ritual of the seventh Tarang. This attempt was, however, met with stiff resistance by other locals in the village.
This led to a rift between the two groups, disturbing peace in the village especially during the festivities.
With this division threatening to raise its ugly head again this year, Canacona Deputy Collector Sudhin Natu and the Canacona Police led by then PI Gurudas Kadam convened two meetings. However, both these meetings reportedly remained inconclusive. In a final effort, Natu convened yet another meeting on Thursday and when the two groups failed to break the deadlock, the deputy collector took personal bonds of from 10 members of
each group.
