Expressing concern over the stampede‑like incident during the Puri Rath Yatra that left two devotees dead and nearly 100 injured, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the state government to ensure foolproof crowd management and safety arrangements during the upcoming Bahuda Yatra.
The directive was issued in response to a petition filed by advocate Nishikant Mishra. The Commission asked the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, Puri Collector, and Puri SP to strengthen crowd control measures and submit a detailed response on the incident and the steps taken to prevent recurrence.
The OHRC emphasised that during the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, authorities must ensure proper barricading, disciplined movement of devotees, and adequate deployment of security personnel.
The order comes in the wake of chaos reported on July 16 at Marichikote Square on the Grand Road, where devotees broke through barricades during the Pahandi ritual, triggering panic and injuries.
The Commission also instructed the Health Department to ensure timely medical treatment for all injured devotees. Meanwhile, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) demanded that the government extend proper healthcare support to those affected.
In its interim recommendation, the OHRC stated: “The Government of Odisha in Health & Family Welfare Department, Collector & District Magistrate, Puri, and CDM & PHO, Puri must ensure proper treatment of the injured persons. The Home Department, Collector, and SP, Puri must see that such incidents do not occur during Bahuda Yatra.”
