Rath Yatra Tragedy: Odisha CM Orders Probe, Suspends Top Officials For Negligence

In the wake of the tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, the Odisha government has taken swift administrative action, transferring and suspending key district-level officials for their failure to maintain order during the annual religious event. 

The Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed on Sunday that the District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) have been relieved of their responsibilities with immediate effect.

The state government has also suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi, citing negligence in the execution of their duties.

The move follows growing outrage over lapses in crowd management during the early hours of Sunday, when thousands of devotees had gathered near the Gundicha Temple to witness the arrival of the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. The incident occurred around 4:30 AM, when a sudden surge led to a stampede that resulted in the deaths of three devotees and left several others injured.

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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, responding to the incident,  announced financial compensation for the families of the deceased. "Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased devotee," the CMO said in an official statement.

The Chief Minister directed a detailed administrative inquiry into the incident, which will be overseen by the Development Commissioner. As part of the immediate reshuffle, Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector of Puri, replacing the outgoing official. Additionally, Pinak Mishra has taken over as the new Superintendent of Police for the district.

The three devotees who lost their lives — 70-year-old Premakant Mohanty, Prabhati Das, and Basanti Sahu — were all residents of Khurda district and had travelled to Puri to witness the holy event.

The Gundicha Temple, where the incident occurred, is located around three kilometres from the Jagannath Temple, the starting point of the Yatra. Amid the dense crowd, a few individuals reportedly fell, triggering panic and a stampede.

The incident has also sparked political reactions. Former Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik sharply criticised the handling of the festival, saying, “All we can do is pray. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year.”

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