And now, two communities in Simra Bhawanipur VDC have also clashed over the use of a temple. This time, both communities involved are non-dalit. [break]
The clash on Thursday night ensued after the some members of the Choudhari community stopped women from the other community from worshiping at a temple of the water deity Barun at Simra Bhawanipur-5. Seven people were injured in the clash.
Both communities used to worship at the temple on different days and hours. However, on Thursday, members from both communities turned up at the temple at the same time with their respective priests to offer worship. The Choudhari community then prohibited the women from the other community from entering the temple and this caused the clash.
Birendra Chaudhari, Dinesh Chaudhari and Hemanta Chaudhari from the Chaudhari community and Mahendra Sah, Yogendra Sah, Mangali Ram and Bhadiya Devi Ram from the other community were injured in the clash, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Dhurba Raj Raut.
Police have arrested Birendra Chaudhari and Sohan Chaudhari, who were involved in the incident. Various communities in the Tarai worship the water deity before starting the planting of rice. Hira Lal Sah blamed the Chaudhari community´s highhandedness for the incident.
According to Chief District Officer Basanta Neupane, an investigation is now underway.
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