Youth climbs atop Srimandir Natamandap, detained
Puri: Exposing security loopholes at Srimandir here, a youth today climbed onto the Natamandap of the shrine.
The youth, identified as Jitu Gaud (32) of Ganjam, climbed onto the Natamandap through the Ghanti door of the 12th century shrine, sources said.
A few Chunara servitors rescued Gaud and handed him over to the personnel of Jagannath Temple Police Service (JTPS).
Later, Singhadwar police detained Gaud and began a probe into the incident, sources said.
“The police are now trying to know the reason behind Gaud’s act. The City DSP has interrogated Gaud,” said a source.
Notably, a man had allegedly climbed atop the temple and removed the holy flag (Bana) in April, 2019. The man reportedly tied his towel to the Neelachakra wheel at the temple top.
The police had detained the man and questioned him in connection with the incident. They released the man after it was established that he was suffering from mental illness, sources said.
A transgender had committed suicide by jumping off the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir in May this year.
Prior to this, a man from Khurda had entered into Srimandir in the dead of the night in April this year and damaged 40 earthen hearths (chullahs) at the shrine kitchen, sources said.
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