Eyewitnesses, survivors blame police inaction for stampede
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"I watched in horror as police officers fled to protect themselves. My wife was unconscious, and I had to carry her to the hospital with help from other devotees. Police authorities who should have protected us were nowhere to be found," said Dilip Sahu, husband of deceased Prabhati Sahu from Khurda district.
The stampede occurred between 4 and 4.30am when thousands of devotees had gathered for darshan of the deities in front of the chariots, which had arrived in front of Gundicha Temple on Saturday, a day after Rath Yatra.
Survivors described a scene of utter chaos as the crowd surge became uncontrollable. According to eyewitnesses, there were no responders at the spot to deal with the situation, despite the govt's series of mock drills conducted before the festival.
"There were hardly any police personnel visible despite the massive crowd. It was a Sunday, and the flow of devotees was growing. When people started falling and screaming, there was no organised response.
We were completely on our own," said Abhijit Das, husband of deceased devotee Prabhati Das of Nayapalli area in Bhubaneswar.
Parikhita Mishra, an eyewitness from Dhenkanal who narrowly escaped, blamed the administration for allowing two trucks carrying additional wooden ladders for the chariots. "The space in front of the chariots was already packed. But two trucks passed through, further squeezing the area and leading to the stampede.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
There were no cops to streamline the truck movement," Mishra said.
Prasanjit Makahud, another survivor, said, "Some wooden logs were kept on the ground in front of the chariots. Many devotees stood on them to catch a clear glimpse of the deities. The logs were slippery due to the rain. Some devotees slipped and fell."
A resident and regular temple-goer Santosh Das pointed out the systemic failure in crowd management. "Every year, we see huge crowds during festivals, yet the police authorities never learn. There were a handful of policemen for thousands of devotees. How can they possibly maintain order?" asked Das.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
BJD to raise growing crime against women in Odisha in Parliament session: MP Patra
BHUBANESWAR: The BJD is set to raise the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha, especially the growing crime against women, during the monsoon session of Parliament beginning Monday. After attending the all-party meeting ahead of the Parliament session in New Delhi on Sunday, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra told mediapersons that there seems to be a complete collapse of law and order situation in the state. There has also been an alarming rise in heinous crimes against women and girl children in Odisha. Patra said the recent incident of self-immolation of a girl student of FM (Autonomous) College in Balasore has shaken the conscience of the nation. He highlighted that the victim had reached out to the BJP MP in Balasore and also to the local administration. 'She had also brought her plight to the notice of the chief minister and the Higher Education minister, but everyone turned their back. She was a student as well as an active member of ABVP,' he said. Soon after the Balasore incident, a 15-year-old girl in Puri district was set ablaze by miscreants. 'This clearly shows how the Odisha BJP government is ruling the state in utter lawlessness and anarchy,' Patra said. The BJD MP said death of three devotees outside the Gundicha temple during Rath Yatra in Puri due to a stampede and other issues focused on the state's interest will also be raised by the party during the session. BJD leaders and workers earlier gheraoed Balanga police station demanding immediate arrest of the culprits in the incident. A large number of party leaders and workers lit lamps in front of the Lingaraj temple in the evening praying for the early recovery of the victim.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
Puri stampede: 147 people record statements before inquiry team
A total of 147 people have so far recorded their statements as part of an administrative inquiry into the June 29 stampede in Odisha's Puri district, where three persons were killed and around 50 others injured during the Rath Yatra festivities, officials said on Thursday (July 17, 2025). These people recorded their statements before Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who is leading the administrative inquiry, they said. During the last hearing, held at the Special Circuit House, Puri on Wednesday, 42 people, including police personnel and staffers who were on duty on June 29 and deployed at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), recorded their statements, the officials said. Ms. Garg, who has been asked to submit a report by July 30, said, 'We have recorded statements of different stakeholders both in Bhubaneswar and Puri in four different sessions." Seventeen people attended the public hearings in Bhubaneswar, and three other sessions were held in Puri, where many others recorded their statements on the stampede incident which took place near the Shree Gundicha temple, she said. The stampede took place amid a massive rush of devotees early on June 29 when three chariots of sibling deities were parked in front of the Shree Gundicha temple. Ms. Garg started her inquiry the next day and has so far met servitors, police, public and other stakeholders for preparing her final report. She has visited the site where the stampede took place, an official said. Immediately after the tragic incident, the state government had placed the then collector and SP of Puri under suspension. Ms. Garg, during her inquiry, also met both the officers and held discussions with senior officials of Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) and media persons. She sought video recording from media houses and the public, the official added.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Puri stampede: 147 people record statements before inquiry team
Altogether 147 people have so far recorded their statements as part of an administrative inquiry into the June 29 stampede in Odisha's Puri district, where three persons were killed and around 50 others injured during the Rath Yatra festivities, officials said on Thursday. These people recorded their statements before Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who is leading the administrative inquiry, they said. During the last hearing, held at the Special Circuit House, Puri on Wednesday, 42 people, including police personnel and staffers who were on duty on June 29 and deployed at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), recorded their statements, the officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This New Device Lets You Get Unlimited Internet Anywhere – No Contracts Needed Ryoko Pro Undo Garg, who has been asked to submit a report by July 30, said, "We have recorded statements of different stakeholders both in Bhubaneswar and Puri in four different sessions." Seventeen people attended the public hearings in Bhubaneswar, and three other sessions were held in Puri, where many others recorded their statements on the stampede incident which took place near the Shree Gundicha temple, she said. Live Events The stampede took place amid a massive rush of devotees early on June 29 when three chariots of sibling deities were parked in front of the Shree Gundicha temple. Garg started her inquiry the next day and has so far met servitors, police, public and other stakeholders for preparing her final report. She has visited the site where the stampede took place, an official said. Immediately after the tragic incident, the state government had placed the then collector and SP of Puri under suspension. Garg, during her inquiry, also met both the officers and held discussions with senior officials of Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) and media persons. She sought video recording from media houses and the public, the official added.
