Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, September 3
At least one “govinda” lost his life and over 80 were injured during the Dahi Handi celebrations after falling from heights in Mumbai, the police said.
“Most of the injuries were fractures and broken bones,” a police spokesman said.
Officials expect the number of injured persons to be higher this year since the Maharashtra Government did not impose any height restrictions on revellers who form pyramids to break a pot of curd hung at great heights.
The state government got around the restrictions imposed by the Bombay High Court in 2017 by labelling the Dahi Handi contest as an adventure sport.
The only restriction imposed was on the ban on participation of children below the age of 14. Some of the major govinda groups who form big troupes to break the pots said they have already stopped the participation of younger children. Parents enrolling the children for the event have been asked to provide proof of age as a precautionary measure, the police said.
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