Puri stampede: 'Crowd surging could have been avoided'

New Delhi: A day after three people were killed and 50 others injured in a stampede in Puri, authorities pointed to multiple lapses, including lack of coordination between the temple authorities and local administration. The absence of senior officials at the time was also flagged as one of the key lapses.

An official said the temple authorities could have avoided the covering of the deity that may had avoided a surge of the crowds in anticipation of a darshan. A detailed probe is under way. Advisor to Odisha CM, former Odisha DGP and BJP leader Prakash Mishra, visited the spot on Monday. "The arrangements that were in place earlier have been further strengthened. I would like to tell all devotees to visit in an organised manner; everyone will get the opportunity to have darshan. There is no need to rush or hurry," he said.

Mishra added, "Here (at Gundicha Temple), darshan will continue until July 4, after which the Lord will proceed towards his temple... We are fully prepared for this... The darshan is proceeding in an orderly manner... Our only request is that there is no need to panic or rush."


Meanwhile, the temple office stated that there was no 'Pahuda' (closing of the temple's door for the deities to take rest) on Monday night due to several scheduled rituals following the deities' entry into the temple.