Tight vigil for smooth conduct of Banni ritual

Kurnool: District Superintendent of Police (SP) Gopinath Jetti gave a call to people of 11 villages to participate in ‘Banni’ ritual without giving scope for violence. Every year, on the midnight of Vijayadasami festival, villagers indulge in a mock stick fight leading to severe injuries, at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal.

Addressing the media at Ved Vyas Auditorium here on Wednesday evening, the SP stated 1,000 police personnel were drafted for the smooth conduct of ritual. The cops are installing 50 CCTV cameras and drone cameras to supervise the ritual. “We are creating awareness among the people about disadvantages of mock fight during ritual through wall posters, short films, stage plays and other programmes,” he explained.

He further said check-posts have been set up on all roads leading to Devaragattu. The SP warned of framing cases against illegal sale or manufacturing of spurious liquor in 11 villages. Additional SPs Madhava Reddy and I Venkatesh, DSPs and other police officials were present.