NALGONDA: Barring some minor incidents, immersion of Ganesh idols in and around Nalgonda town went off peacefully on Tuesday.

Youngsters in full gusto danced to the tunes of drummers during the procession of specially decorated idols, called Sobha Yatra as citizens gathered along the roadside to witness the annual mega event. However, rain hampered the procession for about one hour in the afternoon.

"Rain gave the youngsters an extra dose of kick," commented Janardhana Chary, one of the organisers of Navarathri celebrations at New V.T.Colony. A youngster clad in Telugu block-buster `Aparichitudu' attire remained the centre of the attraction in the yatra.

Additional Superintendent of Police M.Diwakar told The Hindu that 212 idols were to be immersed in Krishna waters at milestone No.14 about 25 kilometres away from Nalgonda.

About 15 idols were immersed in a tank at Panagal. Devotees from Miryalaguda town were also brining the idols to Vemulapally to immerse them in Nagarjunasagar left canal. The immersion amid gaiety was going on in full swing till the last reports came in.

Left, Congress clash

Meanwhile, eleven persons of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress parties sustained injuries in a clash during the procession at Mushampally in Nalgonda mandal.

The rivals, who were already engaged in a bitter battle over a fish tank, took the festive occasion as cause enough to settle scores, the ASP said.

One Congress activist, who was grievously injured, was rushed to a hospital at Hyderabad. The remaining ten persons are being treated in the district headquarters hospital.

Road accident

Two devotees were killed and ten others were injured in a road accident at Wadapally in Damaracharla mandal late Monday night.

Hailing from Ootlapally in Miryalaguda mandal, they were on their way home after immersing the Vinayaka idol at Wadapally, the confluence of Krishna and Musi.

A lorry hit their trolley from the rear end when they stopped their vehicle on the roadside to take shelter from rain, sources said. While Chintamalla Venkataiah (35) and Illa Nagaiah (38) died on the spot, ten others of the same village were rushed to Miryalaguda area hospital.

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