MAPUSA
A Holi celebration that was meant to be full of colours and joy turned ugly in Mapusa late on Wednesday night when a drunken quarrel between two groups led to a violent clash. One man suffered a bleeding nose, another sustained a punctured eardrum, and a woman who tried to intervene was allegedly roughed up. The incident occurred during a Holi event organised by a private group in an open space opposite the famous Shree Bodgeshwar Temple.
According to police sources, the clash broke out around 9 pm in the parking area as one group of revellers was preparing to leave the venue and had gathered near their vehicle. Another group, allegedly intoxicated and carrying bottles, reportedly picked a quarrel with them, leading to a heated argument.
What began as a verbal exchange quickly turned into a physical fight. During the scuffle, a young man from one group was allegedly beaten by members of the other group and was also struck on the head with a bottle. A woman who was with the injured man tried to intervene and calm the situation, but she too was allegedly roughed up by some members of the rival group. The man suffered a bleeding nose in the assault, while another person involved in the clash reportedly sustained a punctured eardrum.
Mapusa Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and managed to separate the groups. The injured man was taken to the North Goa District Hospital for treatment.
During the altercation, a parked vehicle belonging to people not connected with the two groups was also damaged. Police said complaints have been filed at the police station, although attempts were reportedly made to settle the matter amicably. A senior police official described the incident as “a small clash”, adding that the injured person was treated and later discharged.
Meanwhile, two persons from one of the groups who allegedly instigated the fight have been detained under Section 151 for preventive action. Sources also said that police have called the event organisers for further inquiry.
