Amidst the allegations of inefficiency and also coming under severe criticism from opposition parties and lakhs of Jagannath devotees across the globe for failing to smoothly conduct the Niladri Bije ritual, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday suspended nine servitors for violating the ban on climbing the chariots and misbehaving with Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal on Sunday night.
Moreover, six servitors were arrested by the Puri police for creating a ruckus and attacking mediapersons while the latter were covering the unruly act of a group of servitors.
The suspended servitors are Damodar Mahasuar, Ipsit Pratihari, Rabi Das, Rabi Khuntia and Bhagirathi Khuntia, Jaykrushna Mahasuar, Saina Khuntia, Bhimsen Palankadhari and Kashinath Khuntia.
“They were suspended for delaying Niladri Bije rituals, misbehaving with the Collector and flouting the rules of chariot climbing as per the Shree Jagannath Temple Act-1954,” said SJTA Chief Administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra.
The action was taken after examination of the CCTV footages of the Niladri Bije rituals.
“The nine servitors were suspended from duty under Clauses A and C of Section 21 (B) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act 1954,” added Mohapatra.
He also informed that charges would be framed against them immediately and they would be informed accordingly while disciplinary action would also be taken against them soon.
Meanwhile, the six arrested servitors, Bapi Khuntia, Shankar Palankdhari, Bipin Patri, Papun Mohapatra, Baban Khuntia and Madan Khuntia, were sent to judicial custody after the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court here rejected their bail petitions. They were arrested for allegedly assaulting mediapersons during the Niladri Bije.
Three journalists had lodged complaints at the Singhadwar police station, leading to the arrest. Criminal case under Section 341, 323, 294, 307 and 34 of the IPC was registered against them.
However interestingly, no arrest has been made in response to two complaints filed by Collector Arvind Agarwal so far.
Sources said police are conducting raids to nab the culprits.