Probe panel’s report on Puri stampede executed partly, Odisha govt informs HC

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, July 19:

The state government, in its affidavit to the Odisha High Court, has stated that it has partially implemented the recommendations of Justice PK Mohanty Commission of Inquiry report on the stampede inside Sri Jagannath temple in Puri in 2006.

The affidavit, submitted to the bench comprising Justice AK Rath and Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi in response to a PIL filed by lawyer Chittaranjan Mohanty, has stated that as part of the security measures recommended by the Commission, the state government has installed 16 CCTV cameras inside the temple premises and four watchtowers at the four entrance gates of the temple.

Apart from this, the government is taking steps to implement the other recommendations of the Commission for the security of the temple, the affidavit stated.

The petitioner had alleged that though the Commission, appointed by the state government in 2006 following the stampede, had recommended certain measures to strengthen the security inside the temple in its report submitted in 2009, the latter is yet to implement them.

Considering the terrorist threat on the temple, the petitioner had urged the court to direct the government to expedite security measures with installation of more CCTV cameras at sensitive places in and outside the temple premises.