Valmiki groups fight over temple, hall

The premises of the Valmiki Bandimankalamma temple and the Community Hall in Kote experienced a tense situation on Monday as two groups of the Valmiki community fought over legalities of ownership.

One party alleged a group was trying to encroach upon the two buildings and demanded action against such attempts. The rival group fought back, claiming ownership of the temple and the hall.

A clash between the District Valmiki Leaders’ Association and the District Valmiki Leaders’ Confederation, belonging to the Valmiki community, is said to have been the reason for the tussle on Monday.

Protest procession

Members of the District Valmiki Leaders’ Confederation went on a procession from the travellers’ bungalow till the Deputy Commissioners’ office, demanding protection for the Community Hall from miscreants.

However, when they stopped at the Bandimankalamma temple, which was on the way, the police intervened. They shifted another group that was already there, to prevent a clash.

After offering prayers at the temple, the members of the confederation entered the Community Hall, which is adjacent to the temple.

They were, however, accused of destroying sports equipment in the hall before leaving. This is said to have led to the clash.

The police, however, again came forward to prevent any violent occurrence.

Road block

Members of a second group, which arrived at the temple premises, were upset by the incident. Stacking the destroyed sports equipment near the Government College for Boys’ Circle, they staged a road block.

There was even a verbal duel with the police officers who tried to keep the group from protesting.

H R Bhagavandas, the Additional Superintendent of Police, too arrived at the spot and tried to pacify the members of both the clashing groups.

He suggested to them that a management community be formed to handle the matters of the temple and the hall. “It does not go well that two groups of the same community clash in this way,” he advised.

Security

The ASP also instructed the police officers to provide security to the Community Hall.

In the evening, members of the group that protested against the destruction of sports equipment and members of the development committee of the temple visited the city police station and lodged a complaint.

The groups are also said to have demanded action against miscreants as well as police staff who allegedly abetted them.