The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic stampede near the Srigundicha temple in Puri, issuing notices to the District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) over alleged lapses in crowd management during the ongoing Rath Yatra festival.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Saradhabali, where thousands of devotees had gathered to witness the divine chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The incident claimed the lives of three devotees and left several injured, sparking public outrage.
Eyewitnesses and locals attributed the chaos to mismanaged crowd flow and insufficient policing in the densely packed area. In response, the state government immediately suspended two police officials for dereliction of duty and transferred both the Collector and SP of Puri district.
The OHRC, acting swiftly, has instructed the district administration to ensure medical care for the injured and submit a comprehensive report on the incident. It has also emphasised the need for improved safety protocols to avert such tragedies in the future.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each for the bereaved families and ordered a high-level probe led by the Development Commissioner, with a deadline of 30 days for submitting the findings.
As investigations proceed, public sentiment continues to mount, demanding stronger accountability and reforms in managing massive religious congregations like the Rath Yatra.
