World · India Bureau
Chaos erupts at Nainital festival after ceremonial procession concludes
A dispute between two groups at the Nanda Devi festival in Nainital escalated into a violent clash, with chairs and helmets being hurled at participants. The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd management and security arrangements at the popular hill station event.
LSN India ·
Nainital witnessed an ugly brawl at the Nanda Devi Mahotsav following the conclusion of the Dola Visar jjan ceremony, a traditional ritual marking a key phase of the festival celebrations. What began as a disagreement between two groups quickly descended into physical violence, with participants from both sides throwing chairs and safety helmets at one another. Video footage of the melee has since circulated widely on social media platforms.
The incident occurred amid large crowds gathered at the festival grounds, raising fresh questions about the adequacy of security protocols and crowd control measures at the event. Local authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of the dispute or the number of people injured in the altercation.
The Nanda Devi Mahotsav, held annually in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is one of the state's significant cultural events, drawing visitors and pilgrims from across the country. Festival organizers face mounting pressure to enhance safety measures and prevent similar incidents at future gatherings. Nainital police are expected to examine video evidence and conduct inquiries into the clash.