Top Officials Transferred and Suspended for Negligence
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken decisive action following the tragic stampede near Shri Gundicha Temple in Puri during the Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three devotees and left over 50 injured. Describing the incident as “inexcusable negligence,” the state government has initiated strong disciplinary steps against several senior officers directly responsible for crowd control and event management.
Puri DM and SP Transferred
In a major administrative reshuffle, Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain has been transferred and appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Public Administration Department. He will be replaced by Chanchal Rana, who will now serve as the new District Magistrate of Puri.
Similarly, Puri SP Binit Agarwal has also been removed from his post. He is to be succeeded by IPS officer Pinak Mishra, who has previous experience serving in Puri and is familiar with managing large-scale events like the Rath Yatra.
Suspensions Ordered for Senior Officials
Further, DCP Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended pending investigation for lapses in duty during the Rath Yatra. These suspensions reflect the state’s commitment to accountability and crowd safety during religious gatherings.
New Appointment for Rath Yatra Oversight
The state government has appointed Arvind Agarwal, currently serving as Secretary of the Higher Education Department, with additional charge of overseeing Rath Yatra management. He will supervise all arrangements and coordinate with officials to ensure smoother conduct of the remainder of the festival. This directive was issued by the Public Administration Department to strengthen oversight and prevent further mishaps.
Rs 25 Lakh Compensation for Families of the Deceased
In a gesture of support, Chief Minister Majhi has announced an ex-gratia assistance of ₹25 lakh each to the families of the three devotees who lost their lives in the stampede. The announcement was shared via his official handle on social media platform ‘X’.
High-Level Meeting Held at CM’s Residence
Earlier today, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level emergency meeting at his residence to review the situation and finalize the actions to be taken. Following the meeting, the CMO issued a notification detailing the transfers, suspensions, and compensation packages.
Restoring Public Trust and Ensuring Safety
The CM’s prompt response is being seen as an effort to restore public confidence and address the shortcomings in crowd management that led to the fatal incident. With upcoming events like Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha, the government aims to ensure no recurrence of such tragedies.
The Chief Minister, while expressing deep sorrow and regret, assured devotees that strict action will be taken against those responsible, and that such negligence will not be tolerated in the future.
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