Puri: Security concerns resurfaced at the Shree Jagannath Temple on Wednesday after drones were spotted flying over the shrine during the ongoing inventory of the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury), with police later detaining two persons and seizing the devices.
According to eyewitnesses, at least two drones were seen hovering and circling around the Nilachakra at around 5:23 PM. The incident coincided with the ceremonial changing of the Patitapabana Bana, a significant daily ritual.
The breach occurred at a time when the temple premises were under heightened security due to the ongoing counting and verification of ornaments and jewels stored in the Ratna Bhandar, considered one of the most sensitive operations linked to the temple administration.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that despite the drones flying in close proximity to the temple structure, security personnel deployed near the Singhadwara initially appeared unable to respond effectively, raising questions about surveillance preparedness and enforcement of no-fly restrictions over the shrine.
However, in a swift follow-up action, personnel of Simhadwar police station detained two individuals suspected to be linked to the drone operation and seized the drones for further investigation. Authorities are yet to clarify the intent behind the drone activity or whether it posed any specific threat.
This is not the first instance of drone activity being reported over the temple, and the recurrence of such incidents has triggered concern among devotees and observers regarding the robustness of security arrangements at the 12th-century shrine.
