Bengaluru: Amid the nationwide lockdown put in place to combat the COVID-19 spread, the people of Kalaburgi in Karnataka turned out in crowds to celebrate the Siddhalingeswara temple chariot festival on Thursday. Hundreds gathered for the festival despite the lockdown and a ban on rituals of any kind.
Kalaburagi is a coronavirus hotspot in Karnataka -- the district has already seen three deaths, including the first casualty recorded in the country.
Kalaburagi Superintendent of Police Iada Martin Marbaniang said around 100-150 people, at around 6.30am on Thursday, came near the temple for about 20 minutes and took part in the chariot-pulling procession. "A case has been registered against those people (20 named and others being identified) for violation of the lockdown rules. A sub-inspector has been suspended," news agency ANI quoted Marbaniang as saying.
A case has also been registered against the temple management under Sections 188, 143, 269 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The police are also investigating whether it was the temple committee that held the procession or others who decided to go ahead with the ceremonies.
The police said at an earlier meeting the temple committee was asked not to hold the festival. However, it was celebrated regardless.
A 66-year old man from Bengaluru became the 13th COVID-19-related fatality in Karnataka where 34 new positive cases have been confirmed, taking the total number of infections in the state to 313, its Health Department said on Thursday. Of the 34 new cases, 17 are from Belagavi district and seven from Vijayapara.
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