Devaragattu Bunny Festival Gets Tight Security as Authorities Monitor Traditional Stick Fight

Authorities have made extensive security arrangements for the annual Bunny Jaitrayatra of the Malleshwara Swamy temple at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal of Kurnool district. Held during Vijayadashami celebrations, the event features a traditional stick fight between devotees from Neraniki, Neraniki Thanda and Kothapeta on one side, and devotees from Arikera, Arikera Thanda, Suluvai, Ellarthi, Kurukunda, Bilehal and Virupapuram, among other villages, on the other. Several participants are often injured during the ritual. According to local belief, the procession symbolises the victory of good over evil.

Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil said that nearly 1,000 police personnel would be deployed to prevent violence and maintain order. Preventive binding-over cases have been registered against 190 people. Security arrangements include 700 LED lights, 110 night-vision CCTV cameras and 10 drones. Checkposts and police pickets have also been established along routes leading to Devaragattu. To assist devotees, authorities have arranged one lakh water packets, a temporary medical facility with 30 beds and 10 ambulances. Police have warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in attacks motivated by personal or political rivalries.