Bhubaneswar: A team of Singhadwar and Town police arrested 12 persons on the charges of posing as temple guides and cheating non-Odia pilgrims coming to the Holy City for the darshan of sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
Police have, meanwhile, registered a case against them and sent them to jail.
According to reports, taking advantage of pilgrims’ limited knowledge about the 12th-century Jagannath temple, the fake guides would reportedly furnish false information and demand payment, subjecting them to financial exploitation and harassment.
Acting on several complaints filed in this connection, police arrested 12 persons to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims visiting the Srimandir. The crackdown on fake guides is part of the police’s efforts to prevent pilgrims from being cheated and to maintain law and order in the city.
The police have appealed to pilgrims to be cautious and report any suspicious activity to the police stations. Police are also working to identify and arrest more fake guides who are operating in the city.
