In the wake of a tragic stampede during the world-renowned Puri Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three devotees and injured over 100, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken decisive action, initiating a high-level inquiry and suspending key officials over gross mismanagement and security failures.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday, disrupting the concluding phase of the annual religious event. The victims — Basanti Sahu, Premakanta Mahanti, and Prabhat Das — lost their lives in the overcrowded chaos that followed a sudden stampede. Grieving over the loss, CM Majhi announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased devotee.

Top Officials Removed, Inquiry Commissioned

Acting swiftly, the Chief Minister has directed Development Commissioner Anu Garg to conduct an immediate administrative inquiry into the incident. Simultaneously, significant personnel changes have been made:

• Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Binit Agrawal have been relieved of their duties and appointed as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) in the General Administration Department and Police Headquarters, respectively.

• DCP Bishnu Prasad Pati, who was in charge of Rath Yatra security, and OASP Commandant Ajay Kumar Padhi have been suspended for negligence.

• DIG (STF) Pinak Mishra and Khordha DM Chanchal Rana have taken over as the new SP and DM of Puri, respectively.

Government Prepares for Further Action

The oversight of the Rath Yatra management has now been entrusted to Arvind Agrawal, Higher Education Secretary and a former DM of Puri. Demonstrating urgency, Agrawal cancelled his leave and rushed to Puri on Sunday morning.

Sources indicate that further action may be taken against senior officials including Additional DG Dayal Gangwar and Police DG Y.B. Khurania for their failure to ensure coordination and crowd control.

Warnings Ignored Despite Pre-Festival Reviews

Despite a detailed preparatory review conducted by a ministerial panel led by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on June 19, lapses in crowd regulation and the ineffectiveness of the Integrated Command Control Room contributed to the disastrous outcome. CM Majhi criticised the lack of seriousness displayed by officials and promised strict accountability.

Majhi Vows Justice and Systemic Reform

The government has stated that the findings of the official probe, to be submitted after the Niladri Bije (the return of the deities to the temple), may trigger harsher measures against those responsible. CM Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to uphold the sanctity and safety of the Rath Yatra, stating that exemplary action will be taken to prevent such negligence in the future.

The post Odisha CM Orders Probe and Suspensions After Puri Rath Yatra Stampede appeared first on Odisha Connect.