3 killed, over 50 injured during Puri Rath Yatra

Three persons, including two women, were killed and over 50 others injured in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri early Sunday during a ceremony related to the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities, officials said.

The Gundicha Temple, located around 3km from the 12th century shrine, is the aunt's house of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Subhadra and Balabhadra. During yatra, the deities visit their aunt's home, stay there for seven days, and then return to their main abode - the Jagannath Temple.

Announcing a probe, Odisha CM Mohan Majhi ordered the transfer of district collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Vineet Agrawal. He also announced suspension of two police officers -- DCP Bishnu Pati and commandant Ajay Padhi.


The deceased were identified as Basanti Sahu (36) from Bolagarh, and Premakant Mohanty (80) and Pravati Das (42) from Balipatna. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, and the condition of six people is stated to be critical. Their bodies have been handed over to family members, and the cremation will take place at 'Swargadwar' in Puri.

Police said chaos ensued after two trucks carrying material for the rituals reportedly entered the crowded spot near the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities. The deities were seated on the chariots when the stampede took place. The Odisha government will provide financial aid of ₹25 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, the release added.

In a post on X, Majhi sought forgiveness from devotees of Lord Jagannath and tendered an apology on behalf of his government.

Congress BLASTS ODISHA GOVT
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha's LoP Rahul Gandhi condoled the deaths. Kharge said he was deeply pained by the stampede, and asserted that the "negligence and mismanagement" which led to the tragedy are inexcusable.

In a post on X, Gandhi described the stampede as "extremely tragic", and urged the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts.

Incompetence exposed: Patnaik
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik claimed that the stampede exposed the state government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful Rath Yatra for devotees.

PRADHAN TARGETS MANAGEMENT
Union minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan told PTI videos in West Bengal's Panihati that those supervising the management of the Rath Yatra should have made better arrangements.

(With Agency Inputs)