Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 18: A mentally deranged person rushed into the stage when a Yakshagana performance by Kateel Mela was on at SVS school ground on Friday night, duly wielding an axe. Audiences and others ran helter-skelter for the fear of getting injured or losing their lives.

Yogeesh Kulal from Matha in B Mooda village had initially come to the programme and approached the stage. As he was bothering those who were video taping the programme, he was accompanied outside. About an hour, he came to the programme in an aggressive posture with an axe in hand, and began to dance wildly near the stage. The performance was briefly stopped and police were informed.

After sighting the police, the man began to wildly swinging the axe in a menacing manner. Some local youths tactfully approached him from behind and caught hold of him, after which he was led away.

It is gathered that on Saturday, he was handed over to the care of Sevanjali Foundation at Farangipet for being provided with psychiatric treatment with their help.