Round the Corner,Stampede:-3 devotees killed, over 50 injured in mishap puri Gundicha Temple |

Bureau,Odishabarta

PURI,(29/06/25):At least three devotees were killed and over 50 injured in a stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple in puri, in the early hours of Sunday, where the three chariots with the Holy Trinity onboard are stationed.

The deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty.

According to reports, the mishap occurred at around 4:20 AM when an overwhelming crowd of devotees had gathered for darshan of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the situation turned chaotic when two trucks carrying ‘charamala’ entered the densely packed area, leading to panic and a sudden rush among the devotees.

Sources indicate that the Mahaprabhu’s ‘Pahuda’ was completed at around 12:30 AM, and it was reopened for darshan at 3:45 AM, following which massive crowds surged forward. In the resulting commotion, two women and one man were reportedly trampled.

Nearly 50 others sustained injuries in the melee and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment

Disturbingly, several eyewitnesses alleged that there was no visible police deployment at the site to manage the surging crowd. The absence of effective crowd control is being cited as a major factor behind the mishap.

CHIEF MINISTER HIGH LEVEL MEETING

Chief minister head of the grand Rath Yatra festival, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a high-level meeting in Puri to meticulously review all preparations.Comprehensive discussions were held on sanitation, health services, transportation, crowd regulation, and ensuring disciplined darshan for pilgrims.

Naveen Patnaik slams Odisha administration over crowd control failure during Rath Yatra stampede. In a deeply unsettling turn of events during the sacred Ratha Jatra in Puri, three lives were lost and several others injured in a stampede near the Gundicha temple in the early hours of Sunday.

The incident, which unfolded amidst a dense gathering of devotees, has sparked a political firestorm in the state, with Leader of Opposition and BJD President Naveen Patnaik holding the Odisha Government responsible for the tragedy.

Calling it a “glaring example of administrative failure,” Patnaik expressed condolences to the bereaved families and demanded immediate remedial actions. “Today’s stampede, following the crowd mismanagement on Rath Yatra day that injured hundreds, proves the government’s shocking abdication of responsibility,” he stated.

According to eyewitnesses, the chaos broke out when a truck carrying wooden logs entered the Saradhabali area where devotees were seated on plastic mats. As workers began unloading in the narrow space, panic ensued, and people were trampled amid the confusion.

The response, as per onlookers, came primarily from civilians, not from official emergency teams.

Patnaik also took aim at the administration for citing “Mahaprabhu’s wish” as an excuse for delayed rituals and inefficient crowd control. “Such statements reflect total disregard for public safety,” he said.

In addition to demanding swift action for upcoming events like Adapa Bije and Bahuda Yatra, Patnaik called for an urgent inquiry into the lapses and a long-term crowd management overhaul.

As Odisha mourns the loss of lives in one of its most cherished religious events, questions loom over governance, safety infrastructure, and accountability at mass public gatherings

Key Security and Service Measures Announced:

Deployment of 275 AI-based surveillance cameras across Puri

Five-tier security structure with 10,000 personnel on duty

Activation of Quick Response Teams and drones for crowd monitoring

Coast Guard presence along the beach zones.

Medical support, including 69 primary health centres, 64 ambulances, 265 extra beds, and 378 doctors and paramedics SUPERSpecialist

The review meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida, Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home department

Law Minister Responds;

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has been apprised of the situation, and assured of immediate action and a thorough investigation. “I have a word with the Chief Minister in the early hours. We will take necessary action,” said Harichandan.

ADMINSTRATATIVE ACTION

Odisha Govt Transfers Puri Collector, SP After Stampede Incident. The Odisha government has issued transfer orders for the Puri Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) in the wake of recent incidents. Chanchal Rana, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate of Khurda, has been appointed as the new Collector and District Magistrate of Puri.

c has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty in the General Administration and Public Grievance Department. This post is equivalent in status and responsibility to that of an Additional Secretary in the IAS cadre of the state.

Meanwhile, Vinit Agrawal, the current SP of Puri, has been transferred, and DIG ,STF ,senior IPS Pinak Mishra, who previously served as the SP of Puri, has been appointed as SP in the rank of DIGP with immediate effect. Vinit Agrawal was posted as OSD, State Police headquarters, with immediate effect. The Home Department issued a notification in this regard.

The transfer decision was taken hours after a stampede incident in Saradhabali near Gundicha temple on the wee hours of Sunday that claimed three lives.

A BJD delegation, led by senior leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, visited the incident site at Gundicha Temple and met with senior servitors to investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishap.

The party attributed the tragedy to administrative mismanagement and the absence of senior officials, urging the government to ensure better coordination for the remaining rituals of the Rath Yatra.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has sharply criticised the Odisha state government for its handling of the tragic stampede at the Saradhabali just for hand wash the Puri, the has appointed new Collector while Appointed A new SP ( DIG, Rank) government has suspended A.S.P ,Commandant Senior citizens intellectual pointed out the government has played its administratative action promptly right from constable to SP,RI to Collector why not applicable for Temple Administrator (?).

MEDIA ATTACKED

Puri Jagannath Temple Servitors assault on-duty female journalist: No action taken even after 24 hours after incident.

A group of servitors of Jagannath temple surrounded female journalist Linu Nayak and her cameraman Siba Kishore and assaulted duo in full public view.

A group of temple servitors assaulted a female journalist while she was doing her duty at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri yesterday. However, no action has been taken against the servitors involved in the case even 24 hours after the incident.

The female journalist, who has been identified as Linu Nayak had gone to the Singhadwara with her cameraman Siba Kishore to cover the ‘Ratha Katha Anukula,’ a sacred ritual marking the beginning of chariot construction for the Rath Yatra.However, a group of servitors of the Jagannath temple surrounded them and assaulted the duo in full public view. In a video of the incident, one of the servitors was even seen raising his hands with the aim to slap the female journalist while another was seen dispersing her by pulling her hands.

Later, Linu Nayak filed a case at the Singhadwara Police station, based on which Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinit Agrawal had said to register a case and taken action against the persons involved in the matter after verifying the footages of the CCTV cameras.

However, as no action was taken even 24 hours after the incident, the journalists who are working in Puri City today took out a ‘Nyay Yatra’ from the Circuit House to the office of the district collector and demanded justice for the victim female journalist. They also sought action against the accused servitors and protection of their own rights.

Similarly, the members of Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) met Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and apprised him about the matter and sought appropriate action. They also threatened to launch a state-level protest if action is not taken against the accused persons.

Likewise, human rights activist Jayant Das filed a complaint over the issue before the National Human Rights Commission of India.

Meanwhile, Puri Collector assured to take action as per the law after discussion with the concerned senior officials

BJD Condemns Police Assault on Journalists

Source;Tathys

Naveen Patnaik slams Odisha administration over crowd control failure during Rath Yatra stampede,Naveen

In a deeply unsettling turn of events during the sacred Ratha Jatra in Puri, three lives were lost and several others injured in a stampede near the Gundicha temple in the early hours of Sunday.

he response, as per onlookers, came primarily from civilians, not from official emergency teams.

In addition to demanding swift action for upcoming events like Adapa Bije and Bahuda Yatra, Patnaik called for an urgent inquiry into the lapses and a long-term crowd management overhaul.

As Odisha mourns the loss of lives in one of its most cherished religious events, questions loom over governance, safety infrastructure, and accountability at mass public gatherings

Odisha Law Minister Responds to Puri Stampede, Assures Full Investigation

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families. He confirmed that an investigation would be launched immediately to determine the cause and hold those responsible accountable.

The incident reportedly occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., shortly after the ceremonial closure of the deities’ ‘Pahuda’. Thousands of devotees had gathered for a glimpse of the holy siblings when a truck, allegedly brought in to clear palm logs, caused panic in the crowd. This resulted in a deadly stampede.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the crowd surged forward. Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain confirmed that nine people had difficulty breathing, and three fatalities were recorded: Pravati Das, Premkant Mohanty, and Basanti Sahoo. Six others are under treatment.

DGP Y.B. Khurania and district authorities promptly arrived at the scene. Police presence during the stampede has been contested, though Puri SP Vinit Agrawal refuted claims of inadequate deployment..

As the state reels from the tragedy, public demand grows for stricter crowd management protocols during large-scale religious events like Rath YatRA

Source;pns

Odisha CM Apologises After Rath Yatra Stampede, Says “Negligence Unforgivable”

In a heartfelt statement on Sunday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow and extended an unconditional apology following the tragic incident during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri.

The mishap, reportedly caused by massive crowd pressure and poor crowd control near Sradhabali, led to multiple casualties and injuries.

“On behalf of my government and myself, I seek forgiveness from all devotees of Lord Jagannath. The incident is deeply unfortunate, and our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones,” the Chief Minister said.

Source;pns

SLAMS TO GOVERNMENT

Bhubaneswar: 27/06/25:The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today vehemently condemned th assault on journalists by police personnel during the Rath Jatra in Puri.According to a press release from Sankha Bhawan, the incident involved journalists who were officially invited by the state government to cover the sacred event.

Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Media Coordinator and Spokesperson of BJD, stated in a press briefing that the Department of Information and Public Relations had arranged a special bus for accredited working journalists from Jaydev Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, to Puri.

However, upon reaching Puri, despite possessing cordon passes and identity cards, police denied them access and allegedly assaulted many senior journalists.

Several journalists sustained injuries in the attack. Senior journalist Ramesh Mohanty was seriously injured, while Prabhu Kalyan Mahapatra, Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty, Sanat Mishra, and Haraprasad Das suffered chest injuries.

Woman journalist Bijayita Tripathy was hospitalized with a severe hand injury. Other journalists were also injured, preventing them from performing their duties.

Dr. Mohanty highlighted that the Information and Public Relations Department makes special arrangements for media coverage of the Rath Jatra. He attributed this year’s incident to the “incompetence of the state government”.

The BJD has strongly condemned this “inhuman behavior by the police towards the fourth pillar of democracy”.

The party is demanding immediate intervention from the Chief Minister to take action against the responsible officers who caused the chaos during the Rath Yatra.The press release was issued by Dr. Priyabrata Majhi, Media Co-ordinator for the Biju Janata Dal.

PRO,BJD dt27.06