Karnataka devotees and Andhra vendors clash in Srisailam

A rampage ensued in Srisailam when a dispute between a local vendor and a devotee from Karnataka flared up, causing a violent clash that vandalised properties.

Published on: Mar 31, 2022, 19:00:29 IST

By Yamini C S

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A violent clash has broken out between pilgrims from Karnataka and some vendors around the Mallikarjuna temple in the temple town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, gutting several stalls and injuring a few people.

The clash occurred due to a midnight altercation between a local tea vendor and devotees from Karnataka, when a person went to buy a water bottle from a tea kiosk near the temple, according to reports.

The dispute between him and the shopkeeper reportedly led to more men from Karnataka gathering at the shop to defend the devotee. An agitated mob soon resorted to arson and damaged the shop, reports said. Several two-wheelers and cars were also damaged in the rampage.

The devotee is said to be stable and undergoing treatments at a hospital, however his identity could not be determined as of yet. id, adding that the situation was brought under control. The vendor has however been identified as Saamelu and investigations are ongoing as to what caused the flareup.

The Srisailam temple attracts lakhs of visitors from Karnataka for the Ugadi Utsavam, and the incident has reportedly made for a tense situation in the temple town and frightened the locals and pilgrims alike.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said he has requested his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to protect the devotees from the state.

“Pilgrims from Karnataka have been assaulted at Srisailam. A large number of pilgrims from other States visit Srisailam for the religious Jatra (fair). The pilgrims from outside should be ensured proper protection,” Bommai told reporters.

The Chief Minister said a large number of devotees from Maharashtra and Karnataka visit Srisailam. “I have been in constant contact with Andhra Pradesh officials since Wednesday night,” Bommai said.

Stating that the situation is under control, Bommai said two pilgrims were seriously injured and hospitalised, and they are now recovering. Many vehicles belonging to Karnataka were vandalised at Srisailam, sources told PTI.

(With Inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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