Overview
- Police and the district administration mobilized about 1,000 personnel and set up five check-posts and 10 pickets to manage crowds and deter clashes.
- Authorities initiated bind-over proceedings against more than 190 people and carried out roughly 40 cordon-and-search operations that recovered over 300 sticks.
- Surveillance was expanded with 110 night-vision CCTV cameras, 10 drones and 700 LED lights to monitor the route where the idols are brought down 350 steps for the procession.
- Devotees from named neighbouring villages form rival groups that contest possession of the temple deities in a traditional stick-fighting ritual that often causes injuries.
- Officials describe the operation as a recurring management challenge to let the ritual continue while reducing harm, and they held district review and village awareness meetings to try to prevent serious incidents.