Violence marks Durga Puja at Nartiang in West Jaintia Hills, Shillong

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The beginning of the revered traditional Durga puja celebrations in Nartiang, West Jaintia Hills turned awry late on Monday evening after the divided faithfuls of the same faith resorted to brickbats on the issue of who should presided as the main priest of the temple that has its own historical legacy.

Durga Puja in Nartiang has its own uniqueness, which is a blend of the Khasi-Pnar traditional cultural practices and Hinduism. For generations, it has been the lineage of the Deshmukhs that carried out the rituals. Since the death of the priest late last year, the sign of squabble to choose the next cleric started.

One group led by the Dolloi ( traditional head) and the village headman wanted the son of the late priest identified as O Muskut to take the mantle and another group have brought in another Swapan Bhatacharjee to be the presiding priest. The matter reached the High Court and the direction is that the issue should be amicably resolved.

According to a source which was also corroborated by the district administration sources, it was O Maskut who should carry out the rituals but the other group spearheaded by M Phyllut protested and this led to a clash between the two sides. The police had to go for a baton charge to control the situation. DCommissioner f West Jaintia Hills G Dykes said the rituals were carried out without any hindrance during the night and there is nothing untoward happening on Tuesday.