In Karnataka’s Kalaburgi hundreds of people gathered to participate in chariot pulling festival at Siddhalingeswara temple.
Kalaburgi| At a time when a nationwide lockdown has been extended in India for another 20 days to curb the spread of Coronavirus, some people are still defying the lockdown and gathering in large crowds without any regards for the social distancing.
A similar incident was witnessed in Karnataka’s Kalaburgi-one of the worst affected districts due to Coronavirus. Here, hundreds of people gathered to participate in the chariot festival of Siddhalingeswara temple. The festival is organized every year. On Thursday, the second day of Lockdown 2.0 people defied the lockdown and came out to attend the festival.
A village in Chittapur of Kalburgi – deemed hotspot for #COVID19– violates lockdown restrictions to host Siddhalingeswara chariot festival as 100s gather. Kalburgi reported d first #COVID19 death in d country. Death toll in district now at 3 with 18 active cases@XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/Wx6uF31DXG
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) April 16, 2020
According to reports, at about 6.30 AM on Thursday a mob of 100-150 people gathered near the temple for about 20 minutes to ते ake part in the chariot pulling procession. Cases have been registered against 20 persons while others are being identified. A case has also been registered against the temple authority and sub inspector of the area has been suspended.
According to police, in an earlier meeting the temple authorities were asked not to carry out the procession. The police is now investigating whether it was temple committee that organized the procession or people themselves decided to go.
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