Keonjhar: A young man allegedly climbed the spire of the famous Maa Tarini Temple at Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district and threatened to jump to his death after failing to contact his girlfriend, triggering panic among devotees and temple authorities on Wednesday.
The youth was identified as Sonu Mohanta, a resident of Kaliaduma village under Harichandanpur police station limits.
According to locals, Sonu and his girlfriend had reportedly eloped two days ago. However, after learning about their whereabouts, the girl’s family traced the couple and took her back home.
Police and local sources said Sonu made repeated attempts to contact the girl after they were separated but was unsuccessful. In an apparent bid to draw her attention, he climbed to the top of the temple spire and allegedly called her several times over the phone, threatening to end his life if she neither returned to him nor spoke to him.
The incident led to anxious moments at the temple premises as devotees gathered while police and temple officials rushed to the spot. Following sustained persuasion by the police, temple administration and local residents, the youth agreed to come down and was safely rescued without any injury.
The incident briefly disrupted normal activities at the temple and drew widespread attention, with many expressing concern over the youth’s actions at the revered shrine.
Police are understood to be counselling the youth and looking into the circumstances that led to the incident.
