Gopeshwar [Uttarakhand], Mar 30 [PTI] Police today fired teargas shells and lathichrage during a clash with villagers on the issue of animal sacrifice at a temple at Gaisain area of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. At least 15 policemen were injured in the clash and stone-pelting incident at Mythaan village in the area, police sources said. As soon as the news of animal sacrifice at a Bhagwati temple of Mythaan village spread, a posse of policemen laid a siege of the area and dissuaded the locals from performing animal sacrifice. However, the people remained adamant and some of them started pelting stones on the police. At this juncture, police used lathicharge to disperse them but stone-pelting continued, after which police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob. The situation is being described as tense but under-control in the area. Among the injured policemen, two have been rushed to nearby hospitals while others were discharged after first aid, the sources said. Last year, the district administration had stopped the people from performing animal sacrifice in the temple. PTI CORR DPT
