26 injured in Hingot 'war' festival at Gautampura near Indore, six in hospital

Twenty-six people were injured on Monday during the traditional 'Hingot' war, a festival of fireballs, held at Gautampura village in Depalpur tehsil of Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. Police said six of the injured have more serious injuries and are being treated at different hospitals in the district.

About 150 people from two groups, Turra and Kalgi, took part in the festival.

Gautampura police station in-charge Alka Menia said 26 people from both groups were injured during the 'war'. Six of them are under treatment, while the rest were discharged after first aid.

The tradition is centuries old and is held every year on the day after Diwali, but this time it was held on the third day of the festival of lights. Gautampura village is about 60 km from the district headquarters.

About 250 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. CCTV cameras were also installed at the site. Thousands of people come to watch the festival, so the ground was covered with netting on all sides to protect spectators.

According to villagers, the hingot is a fruit that is plucked and dried. It is then filled with gunpowder and tied to a piece of wood. As part of the festival tradition, it is lit and thrown at the opposing side.