Puri: In a major security lapse at the Puri Jagannath Temple, four unidentified youths managed to enter the temple premises by scaling the Meghanada Pacheri, the outer boundary wall, using a heap of garbage piled near the southern gate as support.

The incident has triggered widespread concern and outrage among devotees, especially as it occurred despite heightened security due to the annual Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije rituals.

According to reports, the youths were caught on video climbing over the boundary wall and entering the temple premises. The breach has raised serious questions about the vigilance and effectiveness of the current security setup at the centuries-old shrine, which remains under round-the-clock surveillance.

What has shocked many is that the unauthorised entry happened despite intensified security deployment, which had been put in place for the recently concluded Rath Yatra.

It remains unclear whether the on-duty personnel were unaware of the intrusion or failed to act despite noticing suspicious activity.

Officials have launched a probe into the incident, and efforts are underway to identify the intruders.  As of now, the motive behind the intrusion remains unknown.

Following media reports about the incident, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has formed a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the breach. The panel includes Srimandir Development Administrator Debabrata Sahu, Security Administrator Hemanta Padhi, and a sanitation supervisor.

Temple servitors have blamed the security personnel for negligence, saying their lack of vigilance allowed the unauthorised entry. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have now locked the mesh gate of the boundary wall to prevent further intrusions.

JCB machines and tractors were used to remove a large heap of garbage that had accumulated near the boundary wall, which the trespassers allegedly used to climb over the wall.