Bhubaneswa: In the wake of the tragic stampede near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri that claimed three lives and left nearly 50 injured, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has initiated a sweeping administrative overhaul to restore public confidence and tighten preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra events.
With several high-footfall rituals scheduled in the coming days, the Chief Minister has reassigned key IAS and IPS officers to ensure improved coordination and public safety. The move follows mounting public outrage and demands for accountability after the incident, which occurred during the annual pilgrimage’s early rituals.
In a key decision, Additional Director General of Police (Police Modernisation) SK Priyadarshi has been entrusted with overall charge of law and order for the Rath Yatra. He will supervise all police arrangements and security protocols alongside his current responsibilities.
On the administrative side, seasoned bureaucrat Saswata Mishra has been appointed Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, a post left vacant after Nikunja Bihari Dhal went on central deputation. Mishra will continue to hold his roles as Principal Secretary of the Finance Department and Chairman of the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), consolidating oversight over multiple critical departments.
To further streamline the Yatra management, former Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal has been brought in as the overall in-charge of Rath Yatra operations, given his past experience and familiarity with Puri’s administrative framework.
The reshuffle follows immediate action against those held responsible for the lapses during the recent stampede. Within hours of the incident, Puri Collector Siddharth Sekhar Swain and Puri SP Vinit Agarwal were removed from their posts. Additionally, DCP Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty.
DIG Pinak Mishra, currently serving with the Special Task Force (STF), has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) for Puri. Despite his promotion to the DIG rank, Mishra has been instructed to function as SP throughout the Rath Yatra, underlining the critical nature of his assignment. Sources confirmed that he assumed charge within hours of receiving the transfer order.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Chief Minister Majhi has also ordered an administrative inquiry into the stampede. The probe will be led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, a senior officer known for her no-nonsense approach and administrative rigor. The inquiry will examine the sequence of events, identify lapses in crowd management, and recommend corrective measures to prevent future mishaps.
The urgency of the administrative overhaul stems from the sheer scale of upcoming events in Puri, including Sandhya Darshan on July 4, Bahuda Jatra (Return Car Festival) on July 5, Suna Besa (Golden Attire of Deities) on July 6, and Niladri Bije (Return of the Deities to the Sanctum Sanctorum) on July 8. Each of these draws massive crowds, with Suna Besa expected to witness the largest turnout.
“Around 15 lakh devotees may attend the Suna Besa this year,” a temple official said, highlighting the challenge ahead for the newly reorganized administration.
The swift and sweeping changes underscore the state government’s commitment to ensuring that the remainder of the Rath Yatra festivities proceed without incident, with safety, order, and devotion at the forefront.
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