DGP Sanjeev Marik along with IGP RP Koche on Tuesday took stock of security arrangements in the Shree Jagannath Temple here and said 48 platoons of police personnel, 185 senior officers, 11 DSPs and 450 home guards would be deployed at Puri, Sakhigopal, Konark and Satpara (Chilika) for smooth conduct of the Kartik Purnima fest on Thursday.
The DGP refuted allegations that a woman devotee died due to a stampede occurred at the temple on the Monday. The woman died of cardiac arrest, he said.However, Marik admitted that a number of pilgrims sustained injury because of heavy rush and caving of barricades. He ensured that steps would be taken to check recurrence of such incidents again.
He made elaborate discussions with SP Asish Kumar Singh and other officers on the crowd management during Kartik Purnima. The DGP said separate provision would be made for senior citizens for darshan of the deities.He said plans are afoot to transport physically-challenged persons and age-old devotees from the Marichikote square to the temple main gate. A 24x7 help desk in front of the temple main gate would remain operative on the occasion, he added.
A dozen devotees were hospitalised for chest injuries and breathing problems on Tuesday. While nine of them were released after treatment, condition of three persons was critical.The Additional District Medical Officer said most of the injuries were caused by body compression with the wood barrier known as Bhitar Kath installed inside the Jagamohan to prevent pilgrims from entering into the sanctum sanctorum.
On Monday, eleven pilgrims were admitted in the hospital with injuries, he informed.Inordinate delay in Bankachuda Vesh of lord Jagannath and his siblings put the police in a tight spot as a large number of devotees stayed inside the temple complex to witness the Vesha. No senior officer of the temple administration was present at that time in the temple.
Traffic was jammed for hours in most of the city main roads. “If rush of a few lakh devotees have thrown the entire traffic arrangement out of gear, what would be the situation when 30 lakh pilgrims would throng the city to witness Nabakalebar ritual,” some senior citizens questioned.They urged the Stage Government to evict all roadside encroachers soon for smooth traffic management.