Bhubaneswar, 9 July (H.S.): In a serious security lapse at the revered Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, four unidentified youths managed to breach the temple’s outer boundary, Meghanada Pacheri, by climbing over it using a pile of garbage near the southern gate. The incident has sparked widespread concern among devotees and raised questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures.

The breach occurred despite heightened security arrangements in place due to the recently concluded Rath Yatra and Niladri Bije rituals. Video footage of the youths scaling the wall and entering the temple premises has since surfaced, prompting a swift response from temple authorities.

The unauthorised entry has cast a shadow over the round-the-clock surveillance system maintained at the centuries-old shrine. While it remains unclear whether the on-duty security personnel failed to detect the intrusion or neglected to act, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has taken the matter seriously.

In response, the SJTA has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the breach. The panel comprises Srimandir Development Administrator Debabrata Sahu, Security Administrator Hemanta Padhi, and a sanitation supervisor, among others. Their task is to ascertain how the security lapse occurred and recommend corrective measures.

Temple servitors have criticised the apparent negligence of security staff, holding them accountable for allowing the intruders to gain access. In a preventive step, authorities have now sealed the mesh gate on the boundary wall near the southern entrance to prevent further breaches.

The motive behind the intrusion remains unknown, and efforts are ongoing to identify the individuals involved. The incident has once again highlighted the need for stringent and foolproof security arrangements at one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda