Puri Rath Yatra: Majhi asks police to make accurate crowd estimation

Puri, Jul 1 (PTI) Following the death of three persons in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple here, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Tuesday said safety and security of devotees is of paramount importance during Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra and asked the police to make accurate crowd estimation.

During the day, Majhi held discussions with all stakeholders including the servitors of the 12th-century shrine here, two days after the stampede.

He took stock of the situation during meetings with officials, police, servitors and others on how to conduct the rituals associated with Rath Yatra flawlessly.

During a meeting, the CM stressed the need to keep in mind several aspects of security - smooth operation of chariots, safety of devotees, traffic control and fire services.

The sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra - left the main shrine last week and are now in Gundicha Temple, considered their aunt's place.

Noting that the first leg of the festival is complete so far, Majhi pointed out that three major rituals - 'Bahuda Yatra' (return car festival on July 5), 'Suna Besha' (golden attire on July 6) and 'Niladri Bije' (deities' return to main temple on July 8) are left.

“As Bahuda and Suna Besha rituals are to be held on Saturday and Sunday, there could be a larger congregation of devotees. Therefore, the police administration by using modern technology like AI cameras should make an advanced crowd estimation,” Majhi said.

It is very important to maintain security arrangements for this big gathering and to be always ready for some unexpected incidents,” Majhi told the officials.

Accurate crowd estimation is the first stage for the safety of the pilgrims, he said.

Majhi said the officials must maintain the standard operating procedure (SoP) earlier fixed for various places during the Rath Yatra.

“Follow the SoP in letter and spirit,” the chief minister ordered.

Majhi also directed the district administration to reduce the cordon passes and not allow a crowd inside the cordon area.

He said that it is necessary to make a policy for chariot pulling and for this, the administration must consult with the 'Maharana Sevak' (carpenter) and 'Bhoi Sevak' (chariot manager).

The chief minister also ordered to requisition more force if necessary to ensure the safety and security of devotees on big days like Bahuda and Suna Besha.

He also asked police administration to pay special attention to traffic control and to be more careful so that all the programs of the Lord Jagannath are carried out smoothly.

Majhi also reminded officials that since large congregations are expected, adequate attention should also be given to fire safety.

The fire service and police departments should work in coordination, he said.

He directed the police to keep a watch on places like Puri-Bhubaneswar road, sea beach, railway station and bus stand.

Majhi urged the officials to take Rath Yatra duty as a “sevak” (servant) of Lord Jagannath and not as officers.

He instructed all the officers to work in coordination with the spirit of dedication.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP YB Khurania, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, Additional Director General of Security Saumendra Priyadarshi and others.

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Puri MP Sambit Patra, local MLAs and others attended the meeting.

During his interaction with senior servitors of the temple, Majhi thanked them for completing the rituals as scheduled. PTI AAM NN