Kurnool Deploys 1,000 Police for Devaragattu Banni Festival

A total of 1,000 police personnel were deployed for the annual Banni festival at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal, Kurnool district on the night of October 21, 2026. The festival, also called Karrala Samaram, pits villagers from three nearby villages against each other to capture the idol of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy, a tradition that has previously led to injuries and deaths. Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil urged participants to avoid violence and announced strict action against the sale of illicit and country‑made liquor. More than 190 people were placed under bind‑over proceedings for prior involvement in clashes or liquor sales. To stop clashes, police seized over 300 sticks in 40 cordon and search operations across neighbouring villages. Five check‑posts and ten police pickets were set up, supported by 110 night‑vision CCTV cameras, 700 LED lights and ten drone cameras for continuous surveillance. The deployment included Additional SPs, DSPs, circle inspectors and sub‑inspectors as part of the bandobust. Two district‑level meetings were held, one at the Kurnool Collectorate and another at Devaragattu, to review security plans. Special awareness meetings were conducted in villages such as Neraniki, Neraniki Thanda, Kothapeta, Arikera and Ellarthi to sensitize residents. Individuals identified with a history of conflict or involvement in illicit liquor were specifically bound over.

Context

The Banni festival involves a competitive idol snatching that often sparks violent clashes, prompting police to use heavy security measures each year. Sticks are traditionally used as weapons during the fights, so seizing them is a key preventive step. Such deployments aim to protect lives while allowing the cultural event to proceed safely.