Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over the stampede-like incident during the Puri Rath Yatra that claimed two lives and left around 100 devotees injured, the Odisha Human Rights Commission has directed the Principal Secretary of the Home Department and the Puri District Collector to strengthen crowd control and safety arrangements to prevent such incident during Bahuda Yatra.
The Commission’s order came in response to a petition filed by advocate Nishikant Mishra. The Commission has directed the government to submit its response on the incident and on the measures taken to prevent such mishaps.
In its directive, the OHRC has asked the Home Department, Puri Collector and Puri SP to ensure foolproof management during the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The direction comes in the wake of chaos reported on July 16 at Marichikote Square on the Grand Road.
During the Pahandi ritual, a large number of devotees reportedly broke through barricades to get onto the road, leading to panic and a stampede-like situation.
In response to the incident, the opposition Biju Janata Dal demanded that the state government extend proper medical treatment to all injured devotees.
The Commission also instructed the Health Department to ensure proper and timely medical treatment for all injured devotees.
“However, this Commission interimly recommends to the Government of Odisha in Health & Family Welfare Department so also the Collector & District Magistrate, Puri and the CDM & PHO, Puri to ensure proper treatment of the injured persons in this case and further this Commission recommends the Government of Odisha in Home Department so also the Collector & District Magistrate, Puri and the Superintendent of Police, Puri to see that such incident does not occur in Bahuda Yata of the Deity”, read the Commission’s order.
