At least nine devotees were injured, two of them with serious head injuries, after they were assaulted by a canteen owner and his staff near the Sri Satyanarayana Swami temple on the Ratnagiri Hills at Annavaram on Friday afternoon.
Among the injured seven were sent back as out-patients, while two others were sent to Tuni government hospital for treatment.
According to Annavaram Sub-Inspector B. Jaganmohan Rao, around 20 people from Guntur came here to attend a marriage function of their relative. Around 11 a.m., they went to have their breakfast at a canteen belonging to the Annavaram Devastanam which was given on contract. The devotees complained to the canteen staff about the quality of the food served to them.
“The snacks and pickle served to us smelt stale and we refused to eat. We asked the canteen staff to return our money. Immediately, the owner, along with his men, rushed to our tables. They assaulted us with iron rods and sticks,” said Gopi, an injured devotee. Two devotees, who sustained injuries on their heads, collapsed on the spot . Being informed the Devasthanam Chairman, I.V. Ramkumar, police registered cases against the owner and six others. Three canteen staff were taken into custody.
Meanwhile, Endowments Minister P. Manikyala Rao has ordered for a probe into the incident. Devasthanam Additional commissioner will conduct the probe on Saturday.
Devotees assaulted after they complain of stale food and demand money back
Three canteen staff are taken into custody and enquiry ordered into the incident
