Puri: In a significant move to bolster the security and order of the Jagannath temple in Puri, the state government has appointed Tapas Ranjan Das as the Commandant of the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV).
According to a directive issued by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Headquarters, the appointed personnel such as Commandant, Deputy Commandants and Assistant Commandants are required to join duty and assume responsibility by April 28.
“Commandant / Deputy Commandants / Assistant Commandants transferred and posted vide above mentioned Notification shall be relieved immediately and they be directed to join in their new place of posting without availing joining time on or before 28.04.2025. Non relieving would entail departmental action against the Commandant concerned”, read the notification issued by the Additional DG of Police Headquarters.
As per the notification, Tapas Ranjan Das has been appointed as the Commandant of the SSMSV. He will take charge of his current position and join his new role immediately.
“Shri Tapas Ranjan Das, OAPS (S), Principal, UP & TTI, Bhubaneswar will hand over the charge to Shri Durbasa Nayak, OAPS (SAG), Commandant, OISF, Bhubaneswar and proceed immediately to join as Commandant, SSMSV, Puri”, the notification stated.
It is pertinent to mention that Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini will oversee the security on the temple premises. This force will comprise experienced police personnel deployed on a three-year deputation.
Apart from one Commandant, two Deputy Commandants, three Assistant Commandants, the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakhya Vihini will include eight Inspectors, 31 sub-inspectors and 24 assistant sub-inspectors.
This special security force will be responsible for anti-terrorist operations, maintaining law and order during darshan and securing key areas such as the Gundicha temple, the Parikrama project, and the Mausima temple.
Although initially the state government had planned to appoint 1083 personnel, the number is now expected to exceed 1200.
