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Hans India
10-07-2025
- Hans India
Four scale garbage heap to enter Puri temple premises
Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday constituted a committee to inquire into the alleged breach of security at the 12th-century shrine here after four unknown persons were found scaling the outer perimeter wall of the temple. The SJTA Chief Administrator has formed a committee, headed by the administrator (security), to inquire into the matter, Puri District Collector Chanchal Rana told reporters after a video of four persons scaling the garbage heap near 'Meghnada Pacheri' (outer boundary wall) went viral in social media. 'Admitting that there was a lapse', Rana said the committee will probe into the alleged breach of security. 'Trespassers are being identified and accountability will be fixed in this incident. Subsequent action will also be taken,' the Collector said. Stating that the district administration has taken the matter 'seriously', the Collector said the CCTV footage will be verified and the persons involved in such activities will be identified. It was seen in the video that four unidentified men gained unauthorised access into the shrine by scaling the outer perimeter wall, using a large pile of garbage accumulated near the wall as support. The incident took place on Tuesday despite elaborate security arrangements in place during and after the annual Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije rituals. Biswanath Khuntia, a servitor, said he has witnessed many people scaling the garbage heap and entering the temple premises. 'The number of people illegally entering the temples is not four, it could be hundreds,' Khuntia said. The devotees expressed concern over the incident and raised questions on the utility of AI-enabled cameras for the security of the 12th-century shrine, which is under the scanner of mischief mongers. In the post-Pahalgam terror attack, the intelligence agencies had warned the Odisha Police regarding the Puri temple remaining on the radar of terrorist outfits, an official said. Former member of the Temple Managing Committee and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik said: 'It is surprising that despite the huge deployment of security forces during Rath Yatra, no one spotted them climbing the wall and entering the premises. This is a clear case of lapse on the part of the security agencies.'
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
4 men climb into Puri temple by scaling outer wall
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Days after Puri Jagannath temple was brought under an unprecedented security cover following Indo-Pak tensions, a serious security breach came to the fore on Tuesday evening when four unidentified men gained unauthorised access into the shrine by scaling the outer perimeter wall (Meghanada Prachira), by climbing on a large pile of garbage that had accumulated near the wall. According to police, the identities and intentions of the trespassers are still unclear. Footage that emerged on Wednesday showed these men scaling the shrine's outer compound wall. The temple has four entrances that are guarded by armed police. This breach occurred during the Niladri Bije festival, despite substantial police presence, raising concerns about security vigilance. "Through CCTV footage we are trying to identify who they are and what they did inside the temple, though they appeared to be regular devotees," said collector (Puri) Chanchal Rana. "We admit the lapses and apologise for it. Serious efforts are being made to prevent recurrence of such incidents. We urge devotees to refrain from such adventures, jeopardising the security protocols of the temple," Rana told reporters. He explained that traffic restrictions during the Rath Yatra, which concluded on Tuesday, prevented the removal of accumulated waste near the temple. SP (Puri) Pinak Mishra said investigation was in progress to identify the trespassers. "We are examining the CCTV footage to identify them," said Mishra. A case was registered at Singhadwar police station following a complaint lodged by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee indicated that a committee, including administrator (development), officer on special duty (security) and a senior supervisor has been formed to probe the matter. Temple servitors and security experts called for a thorough security review at the shrine, where preventive measures had been recently strengthened due to Indo-Pakistan tensions. Armed personnel were deployed at the shrine, which is considered a potential high-risk target in the country. The National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a detailed security assessment at the Jagannath Temple last month, focusing on counter-terrorism readiness. The govt accelerated the formation of the new Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV), a dedicated force, at the temple. Additionally, Odisha police established an anti-terrorist squad (ATS) near the temple, featuring urban warfare-trained commandos from their special tactical group. They also positioned Rakshak, an armoured vehicle with bullet-proof capabilities, outside the temple. "Despite these massive security arrangements, police personnel's lack of vigilance enabled four men to enter the shrine unauthorised," said retired DGP, Bipin Bihari Mishra. Biswanath Khuntia, a servitor said, "The number of the trespassers could be more. Even though they seemed like regular devotees, such an act exposed the vigilance of police, whose number was in hundreds during Rath Yatra."
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Four found scaling garbage heaps to trespass Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, inquiry ordered
Puri, The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday constituted a committee to inquire into the alleged breach of security at the 12th-century shrine here after four unknown persons were found scaling the outer perimeter wall of the temple. Four found scaling garbage heaps to trespass Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, inquiry ordered SJTA chief administrator has formed a committee headed by the administrator to inquire into the matter, Puri District Collector Chanchal Rana told reporters after a video of four people scaling the garbage heap near the 'Meghnada Pacheri' went viral in social media. PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. "Admitting that there was a lapse", Rana said that the committee will probe into the alleged breach of security. "Trespassers are being identified and accountability will be fixed in this incident. Subsequent action will also be taken," the collector said. Stating that the district administration has taken the matter "seriously", the collector said that the CCTV footage will be verified and the persons involved in such activities to be identified. It was seen in the video that four unidentified men gained unauthorized access into the shrine by scaling the outer perimeter wall, using a large pile of garbage accumulated near the wall as support. The incident took place on Tuesday despite elaborate security arrangements in place during and after the annual Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije rituals. Biswanath Khuntia, a servitor said that he has witnessed many people scaling the garbage heap and entering into the temple premises. "The number of people illegally entering into the temples is not four, it should be hundreds," Khuntia said. The devotees expressed concern over the incident and raised questions on the utility of the AI-enabled cameras for the security of the 12th-century shrine, which is under the scanner of mischief mongers. In the post-Pahalgam terror attack, the intelligence agencies had warned the Odisha Police regarding the Puri temple remaining on the radar of terrorist outfits, an official said. Former member of the Temple Managing Committee and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik said: "It is surprising that despite the huge deployment of security forces during Rath Yatra, no one spotted them climbing the wall and entering the premises. This is a clear case of lapse on the part of the security agencies." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Drivers' strike paralyses public transport services, affects essential supplies in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Transport services, particularly public transport and supply of fuel and LPG, were severely affected as thousands of commercial vehicle drivers launched an indefinite strike to press for fulfilment of their various demands. Under the banner of Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, drivers of buses, trucks, commercial vans and taxis resorted to the 'quit steering wheel' protest, demanding various welfare and social security measures from the government. Public transport was the worst hit as private buses stayed off road and commuters across the state had to suffer immense problems. Devotees and visitors, who went to Puri to attend the Niladri Bije, the last ritual of Rath Yatra festival, had a harrowing time as they could not board buses or other public transport to return home. This resulted in a heavy rush at the railway station in Puri. Sources said on an average, at least 200 buses operate from Puri to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack daily. The number of buses operating from Puri to the Twin City goes up to 300 during festive seasons. With the number reducing to a trickle as only government buses operated, the people faced severe inconveniences. Meanwhile, supply of petrol, diesel and LPG to different parts of the state is set to be badly affected from Wednesday if the strike continues. 'Oil tanker drivers joined the protests on Tuesday. But, they have been asked to report to duty on Wednesday so that petrol and diesel can be loaded from four depots in Jatni, Paradip, Balasore and Jharsuguda, and delivered at the fuel stations across the state. If they continue, there will be an oil crisis at hand,' said general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association, Sanjay Lath. Though the supply of essential commodities like vegetables was not affected on the day, traders' bodies are apprehensive that the strike could lead to shortage if the cease work carries on. 'Vegetables were delivered in Bhubaneswar markets as usual on Tuesday. However, we are anticipating the strike will possibly affect the supply a day later,' said Rajdhani Pariba (vegetables) Byabasayee Mahasangha president, Kabi Swain. 'Many essential commodities are imported from other states, and the supply remained unaffected on the day. However, serious difficulties can emerge while transporting goods from wholesalers to retailers if the strike is not called off,' said the general secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, Sudhakar Panda.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Odisha Television Group launches IKATAN collection
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Television Group (OTV) has launched IKATAN, a purpose-led initiative that celebrates India's rich Ikat heritage and empowers the artisans behind it, on the occasion of Niladri Bije on Tuesday. Through its e-commerce platform - - the brand offers Ikat connoisseurs an exclusive access to authentic, handwoven Ikat silk sarees. IKATAN's debut collection blends heritage with haute couture, featuring a collaboration with renowned designer Bibhu Mohapatra. His designs bring global visibility to the traditional art form and help position Ikat as a textile worthy of runways, red carpets, and heirloom wardrobes. 'Ikat has always been close to my heart. While weaves like Banarasi and Chanderi have found their space in mainstream fashion, Ikat - especially from Odisha - has been largely overlooked. With IKATAN, we're changing that. This isn't about creating a brand for applause or branding OTV as purpose-driven - it's about building something that outlives us. It's about giving back to the hands that have quietly kept our traditions alive,' said Jagi Mangat Panda, founder of IKATAN and managing director of Odisha Television Group. The group launched an e-commerce platform first to reach people globally and invest directly into the weavers and their ecosystem. Collaborating with designers like Bibhu is just one way of showing the world that this incredible craft belongs on global runways and in legacy wardrobes, she added. As far as affordability goes, IKATAN also has a non-designer line that is more accessible, without compromising on authenticity or craftsmanship.
