Panic in Puri: Graffiti Threatens Jagannath Temple Attack

Puri, August 13 (PTI) - Panic and disapproval surged among devotees in Puri, Odisha, after graffiti threatening that "terrorists will demolish the Jagannath Temple" was discovered on a small temple's wall near the historic 12th-century shrine.

Authorities reported that the threat, inscribed in the Odia language, was found on the wall of Maa Budhi Thakurani’s temple located in Bali Sahi.

One of the graffiti read, "Terrorists will demolish the Srimandir. Call me, or else there will be destruction." Several phone numbers accompanied this ominous warning alongside the names "PM Modi" and "Delhi," according to a local resident.

Puri SP Pinak Mishra, who swiftly arrived at the scene, emphasized the severity of the situation. "We have taken cognisance of the matter and are taking it very seriously. We have got some information, and police teams are being formed to arrest those who are behind such a threat," he stated.

Efforts to identify the perpetrators include scrutiny of CCTV footage from the vicinity, suggesting that the graffiti was likely created on Tuesday night.

Authorities are investigating the motive behind this act of vandalism, with SP Mishra noting that "CCTVs have been installed at several places. Security guards have also been deployed. Investigation is underway on a war footing."

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)