After the massive outbreak of violence along the Badadanda (Grand Road) on Wednesday, Puri came back to normal on Thursday. Although the situation was internally little tense with groups indulging in blame games in the city, but no single incident was reported by 8 pm on Thursday.
The tourists, visitors and servitors made their entry into the Jagannath Temple though all the doors without barricade.
As four doors were opened for public, the visitors made their entry according to their choice.
In the Peace Committee meeting held on Wednesday night, the district administration had agreed to remove the barricades for entrants in the temple. However, the visitors had to enter the Lions Gate through barricades from outside.
Following the violence, the Shree Jaganath Temple Administration (SJTA) would lodge FIR against the criminals involved in damages in its office. After assessment of losses by the district administration, the SJTA would file police complains, said Chief Administrator Pradipta Mohapatra.
Mohapatra informed that as many as 10 computers, besides almirahs, glasses and CCTV cameras were broken. He denied media reports of theft of money and gold from the temple office.
Taking seriously the large scale violence against the queue system for devotees, Supreme Court appointed Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanim had telephonic talks with Mohapatra twice. Subramaniam has sought from the temple chief a detailed report with a video copy of the incident.
“The Amicus Curiae called me over telephone twice and asked about the incident.
He sought a detailed report with video copies,” said Mohapatra, adding that he has already sent a report to him. More information with visual copies would be sent, he said.
In another development, DGP Dr RP Sharma visited Puri on Thursday to take stock of the situation.
Sharma visited some violence affected places and accessed the damages caused by the bandh supporters. Central IG Saumendra Priayadarshi, IG Amitabh Thakur and SP Sarthak Sarangi were present with the DGP. Later, in a review meeting, Sharma directed the officers to act strongly on the people indulged in the crime.
He was found very aggrieved with such huge damages in the city besides stone pelting on the Collector and the SP offices. “The DG ordered quick actions. We are scanning CCTV footages and accordingly, we would lift people involved in the violence,” said SP Sarthak Sarangi.
He said that they would pull the leaders of the bandh, provided they were found involved.
Sarangi also charged that some servitors have masterminded the whole incident. Tough action would be taken against them, Sarangi told The Pioneer.