Puri DM,SP shifted: CM apologises after 3 killed in stampede

The Odisha government has suspended the district collector, SP of Puri. Additionally, DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi over allegations of negligence in duty.Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased devotee. The CM has ordered a detailed administrative inquiry under the supervision of the Development Commissioner. Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, while Pinak Mishra has taken charge as the new SP. Majhi has expressed deep sorrow and announced key administrative actions. The incident, caused by an uncontrollable surge of devotees eager for Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s darshan, claimed the lives of three devotees.Chief Minister Majhi emphasized that the Rath Yatra is a symbol of Odia pride and heritage, and even the slightest lapse in its management will not be tolerated. “Strict and exemplary action will be taken against all those found responsible,” he asserted.

Three persons, two of them women, died and 10 others were injured in the stampede. The incident occurred when the three Raths carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra were near Shree Gundicha Temple, about three kilometres from Jagannath temple, where the Yatra began.The incident occurred early Sunday morning, around 4.30 am amid heavy crowd.According to Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain, the incident happened when hundreds of devotees had gathered near the Shree Gundicha Temple for darshan. The crowd suddenly surged and created a stampede-like situation. The injured were taken to Puri District Hospital. Six of them are in critical condition.The victims have been identified as Prativa Das Female (52), Premakanta Mohanty (78) and Basanti Sahu (42), all residents of Khurda district.

BJD President and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the state government and said that the stampede near the Gundicha Temple in Puri showed its glaring failure to ensure a safe and orderly Rath Yatra for devotees." I urge the government to implement urgent corrective measures to ensure the smooth conduct of Adapa Bije, Bahuda, Suna Besha, and other key RathYatra rituals," the veteran leader said, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims.

A large number of devotees participated in the annual Rath Yatra as the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were pulled through the streets of Puri. The deities are taken to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.During this sacred period, they will reside at the Gundicha Temple before returning to the Shree Jagannath Temple on the same chariots during the Bahuda Yatra-the return journey of the annual Rath Yatra-on July 5.