Bhubaneswar: Acting against authorities for lapses that led to stampede claiming 3 lives near the Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha Government transferred district Collector and SP and announced ex-gratia for kin of deceased persons. 

The state government appointed IAS Officer Chanchal Rana as Puri Collector replacing Siddharth Shankar Swain. 

Similarly, IPS Officer Pinak Mishra was appointed as the new Superintendent of Police of Puri in place of Vinit Agrawal. 

"Khordha Collector Chanchal Rana IAS appointed as Collector Puri and DIGP STF CID CB Pinak Mishra  IPS appointed SP Puri with immediate effect," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated. 

The government placed DCP Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi under suspension for negligence of duty. 

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each for the next of kin of each deceased devotee. 

This apart, the CM also ordered a detailed administrative inquiry under supervision of the Development Commissioner. 

As many as three devotees died and several others were critically injured in a stampede at Saradhabali in front of the Gundicha Temple where three divine chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were parked, about 3 km from the Jagannath Temple. 

As per reports, the incident occurred around 4.30 a.m when a large number of devotees had gathered for darshan of deities on chariots in the wee hours. As the crowd swelled, some people fell and a stampede began. Three people died on the spot.

The deceased persons include two women, Prabhati Das and Basanti Sahu, and 70-year-old Premakant Mohanty. All three are from Khordha district and had come to Puri for the Ratha Jatra.