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Strengthen security at Puri shrine: HC

CUTTACK: Expressing deep concern over the fragile security arrangements in Sri Jagannath temple at Puri, the Orissa High Court has issued fresh notices to the State and Union Government to file counters. Earlier the court had issued notices to these opposite parties along with to the Temple administration in June 2006 while adjudicating over a PIL.

Maitree Sansad, a city-based socio-cultural organisation had moved the HC stating that due to lack of proper security measures inside the 12th century shrine, the anti-socials were creating a lot of nuisances putting the devotees in trouble. In a fresh application, the petitioner has stated that in view of the fact that the Puri temple is in the hit list of terrorists, efforts must be taken to upgrade the security arrangements at the temple.

“The State Government and the temple administration is completely callous about the deteriorating situation of Sri Jagannath temple”, the petition alleged saying the devotees are subjected to physical assault by the temple priests while temple premises is being used for drug pedalling. Recently, a person was arrested for trading with brown sugar inside the premises, the petition said.

The Home Ministry has already warned about the threat perceptions to the temple and had asked the State Government to take instant remedial measures. The petitioner also pointed out that the center has also advised the State Government to hand over the Puri temple security arrangements either to the NSG or CRPF because of inherent weakness in the existing system. But the State Government has reportedly not agreed to it, the petition said.

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