Odisha Forms Team for Stampede Inquiry at Puri's Shree Gundicha Temple

Bhubaneswar, Jul 2 (PTI) - The Odisha government has taken decisive steps following the stampede incident near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals and injuries to approximately 50 people during the Rath Yatra on June 29.

In response, the government has constituted a four-member team to assist Development Commissioner Anu Garg in conducting an in-depth administrative inquiry. This team is expected to complete its investigation within 30 days, as per an office order issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department.

The inquiry team comprises four Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers. Joint Director of Estates and GA & PG Department's Additional Secretary Manas Ranjan Samal, Housing and Urban Development Department Additional Secretary Binaya Kumar Dash, Water Resources Department Additional Secretary Rashmi Ranjan Nayak, and Works Department Additional Secretary Pradip Kumar Sahoo are part of this crucial group.

Notably, Dash and Sahoo are currently engaged in duties related to the Rath Yatra and will remain in Puri until July 8. The order clarifies that these officers will handle the inquiry in addition to their regular responsibilities. They are mandated to dedicate two hours daily, from 3 pm to 5 pm, at the office of the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, to facilitate the investigation.

Following the stampede on June 29, the state government swiftly ordered an administrative inquiry under the leadership of Anu Garg. She commenced her investigation on Monday, engaging in discussions with key officials, including the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri collector, superintendent of police, and other temple servitors.

The development commissioner emphasized her commitment to uncovering the causes of the stampede and identifying those accountable. She also intends to recommend measures to prevent such unfortunate events in the future. Garg plans to meet various stakeholders, review CCTV footage, and scrutinize deployment orders to ensure Standard Operating Procedures were adhered to.

In the immediate aftermath of the stampede, the state government replaced the Puri district collector and superintendent of police. Additionally, senior bureaucrat Aravind Agarwal has been tasked with overseeing the Rath Yatra affairs in Puri. Senior IPS officer and ADG Soumendra Priyadarshi has been entrusted with the responsibility of streamlining police arrangements for the Rath Yatra.

Furthermore, two senior police officers have been suspended due to charges of dereliction of duty.

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