Pandhurna Gotmar Mela: Hundreds injured in stone-pelting clashes

During the traditional Gotmar Mela in Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh, intense stone-pelting occurred between participants from Pandhurna and Sawargaon as they competed to capture a flag in the Jam River. The clashes resulted in significant injuries, with reports indicating that hundreds of people, including as many as 652, have been injured.

Several participants sustained serious injuries, including broken bones and head wounds. Some critically injured individuals, such as Sachin Hatkar and Sanjay Dharpure, were referred to Nagpur for medical treatment. Congress MLA Nilesh Uikey was also observed participating in the event.

To manage the situation, authorities established seven temporary health centers, deployed 44 doctors, and stationed 22 ambulances. Security measures include 700 police personnel, 10 CCTV cameras, and three drones to monitor the area. This centuries-old tradition has a history of accidents, with 13 recorded deaths between 1955 and 2025.