The probe into the tragic stampede near Gundicha Temple during the recent Rath Yatra has entered a crucial phase, with Development Commissioner Anu Garg set to record eyewitness testimonies today at the Circuit House in Puri.
The stampede, which occurred in the temple vicinity during one of the most revered festivals in Odisha, claimed the lives of three devotees and raised serious concerns about crowd control and security arrangements. The investigation panel, spearheaded by Garg, aims to uncover the sequence of events and systemic lapses that led to the incident.
Witnesses have been urged to share their accounts starting from 3 PM, while individuals possessing video footage have been requested to submit it via email to puritragedy.enquiry@odisha.gov.in by July 20. Seventeen testimonies have already been recorded in Bhubaneswar as part of the inquiry.
Earlier, Garg conducted an on-site inspection with senior officials, including the Puri Collector, Superintendent of Police, and representatives from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. The findings of the inquiry are expected to be submitted within a month.
As public anticipation mounts, authorities emphasise the importance of community cooperation in piecing together the tragic events that marred this year’s Rath Yatra festivities.
