Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): In the wake of a tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri that claimed three lives and injured several others, authorities in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district have heightened security and surveillance for the ongoing Baripada Rath Yatra.
Speaking to ANI, Pravat Kumar Mallick, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Baripada, confirmed that over 100 CCTV cameras have been installed, three control rooms established, and drone surveillance activated. The district police have also bolstered deployment and put strict traffic arrangements in place to ensure the safe movement of the large crowd gathered for the festival.
The second phase of the Baripada Rath Yatra resumed on Sunday, with thousands of devotees thronging the streets to witness the ceremonial journey of the sacred chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath. Known as Dwitiya Srikhetra, Baripada’s Rath Yatra is renowned for its unique tradition in which only women are allowed to pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, reflecting a rare blend of spiritual devotion and gender empowerment.
This year’s chariot procession began on Saturday, a day after the grand Gundicha Yatra in Puri. On Sunday, the sacred journey continued amidst a vibrant atmosphere filled with traditional music, rituals, and community spirit. Women in traditional attire led the pulling of Subhadra’s chariot, adding to the spiritual and cultural richness of the event.
Meanwhile, Odisha Police issued a traffic advisory for Puri, warning of severe congestion. “Since early morning, there has been a very heavy inflow of vehicles towards Puri. Citizens may face a waiting time of more than two hours,” the police said in a post on X.
The stampede in Puri, which occurred during the world-famous Rath Yatra, led to the suspension of Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi for dereliction of duty. The incident claimed the lives of three devotees and left 6–7 others injured due to overcrowding near the chariot route.
Expressing deep grief, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased. He ordered an administrative probe to be conducted under the supervision of the Development Commissioner and directed the transfer of the District Collector and Superintendent of Police. Chanchal Rana and Pinak Mishra have since been appointed to these roles, respectively.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Rath Yatra is a symbol of Odisha’s pride and cultural legacy, assuring the public that steps would be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, which began on Friday, sees massive crowds of devotees pulling three grand wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for a week before returning. The incident in Puri has cast a somber tone over the festivities, but authorities across the state are stepping up efforts to ensure the safety and sanctity of the event continue. (ANI)
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