More than 160 people suffered injuries during an annual stone-pelting festival in central India.

The incident took place on Aug. 31 in Madhya Pradesh state's Chhindwara district.

Police said around 45 of them were taken to a hospital for treatment due to serious injuries.

The stone-pelting festival-Gotmar-is an annual ritual in which residents of two villages—Pandhurna and Sawargaon—throw stones at each other until a flag hoisted in the middle of the banks of Jaam river is brought down by one the two groups.

Videos and images show the aftermath of the incident in which the people are being administered proper medical attention.

There was a heavy police deployment for Aug. 31. The ritual was also being monitored with the help of CCTV and drone cameras.

Officials said that despite repeated warnings, people celebrate this traditional festival every year.

They added that the warnings fall on deaf ears as people resort to celebrating the archaic festival.

According to police, more than 300 people were injured in the incident in 2018 and more than 500 people were injured in the incident in 2017.

Meanwhile, the administration has been trying to convince the villagers to use rubber balls instead of stones but to no avail.