Twenty-four individuals were apprehended following a clash involving two groups in Kolagallu village, Ballari district. The altercation, which erupted over a temple construction dispute, resulted in over 20 people, including five police officers, being hospitalized.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were enforced in Kolagallu subsequent to the incident. Reports suggest that tensions escalated when attempts were made to install an idol at Yeriyappatatta temple, leading to a confrontation and stone pelting.
The disagreement regarding the temple’s construction escalated to the Karnataka High Court’s Dharwad Bench last month, with villagers filing a petition. Despite a court order prohibiting further construction, members of one group proceeded with the temple’s erection, sparking the clash.
On 08-04-2024 at the district police office, a peace meeting was held with the leaders of the village along with the District Collector, AC and Tahsildar and the officials of the police department as there was a riot in the town regarding the statue of the idol in the village of Kalangallu. Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru stated that a peace meeting has been conducted, and the situation in Kolagallu is now under control.
