Nashik collector orders inquiry after Trimbakeshwar temple assault videos emerge

Nashik: The Nashik collector has ordered a magisterial inquiry after two videos showing two different pilgrims being beaten up within the premises of the Trimbakeshwar temple went circulated on social media.The videos showed two pilgrims being beaten up by security personnel, who are ex-servicemen.In the first video, a pilgrim from Haryana can allegedly be seen being beaten up. There was an exchange of blows between him and the security guard, in which the security guard was injured in the eye. In the second video, the personnel could be seen kicking another pilgrim after he jumped the line of the pilgrims."Both videos show the incident of March 1. The fact is that a Haryana-based pilgrim had blocked the path of other pilgrims on several occasions, demanding time for meditation. He was moved to a separate area, but he wanted to sit in the path. He also wanted to enter the sanctum sanctorum, which is not possible without prior permission and is allowed only at certain times. That led to an argument and a scuffle," claimed Kailas Ghule, one of the temple trustees.He also alleged that in the second case, the man was harassing women and jumping the queue. After the women raised their complaint, the security personnel pulled him out of the queue, which led to a scuffle between him and the personnel."No complaint has been registered by anybody in the police station. But the incident has been registered in the security personnel's diary," he said.Nashik collector Ayush Prasad claimed that he has suo-moto ordered a magesterial inquiry into the incidents."A magesterial inquiry has been ordered and sub-divisional magistrate GVS Pawan Datta, who is also the assistant collector and SDO of Trimbakeshwar, will conduct a thorough inquiry," said collector Prasad."We are looking at it holistically. We want to understandi the problem and its cause, and find a solution. Corrective measures and appropriate action against those guilty will be taken," said the collector.