Team Herald
Poriem: The simmering tension at the Shree Bhumika Devasthan temple in Poriem, Sattari, erupted on Wednesday morning as the two communities of Majiks and Gaonkars clashed during the annual Kalotsav festival.
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The confrontation, which involved around 50 individuals, including women, resulted in injuries and chaotic scenes, with chairs and stones being thrown despite the presence of law enforcement, who initially had to beat a hasty retreat.
The violence stemmed from a dispute over ritual rights, which escalated when members of the Gaonkar Samaj of Poriem staged a protest after being denied entry to the temple by the police. Although the police eventually allowed the Gaonkars to enter, the situation deteriorated as tempers flared over the rights to perform rituals. The protesters insisted they would not leave the temple grounds until their demands for equal rights were met, leading to clashes between the two groups.
Amid escalating violence and with police struggling to control the situation, Poriem MLA Deviya Rane and North Goa SP, Akshat Kaushal, IPS, arrived at the scene to intervene. The authorities worked to calm the situation, and by the afternoon, the temple was reopened for both communities.
This incident follows similar unrest in December, when clashes over temple rights led to the imposition of prohibitory orders, temporarily halting religious ceremonies. During those protests, villagers blocked the Sankhali-Chorla road, pelted stones at police, and injured a Police Sub-Inspector, leading to the temporary closure of the temple and restrictions on gatherings of more than five people.
The situation had been resolved after discussions between the various groups, and the prohibitory orders were lifted, allowing the ceremonies to resume. However, Wednesday’s clash highlighted that underlying tensions remain, particularly as both communities attempted to enter the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
SP Kaushal confirmed that an offence had been registered against 38 individuals under multiple sections, including assault and unlawful assembly. Police are also reviewing video footage and photographs to identify other participants involved in the violence.
The Valpoi police have also written to the Sattari Deputy Collector, requesting action against 12 individuals who violated bond conditions by taking part in the violence on Wednesday. These individuals had previously signed bonds on December 18, 2024, agreeing not get involved in any unrest.
