In the wake of a tragic incident during the Rath Yatra festivities, the Odisha government has launched a high-level investigation and taken swift administrative action. A senior district commissioner has been tasked with leading the inquiry to uncover the causes behind the mishap, which has sparked public outrage over alleged mismanagement.
The Chief Minister conveyed his profound sorrow and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives. Additional support, including medical assistance, is being provided to the injured.
In a significant reshuffle, the state government removed Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Vinit Agarwal. Chanchal Rana will now assume charge as the new district magistrate, and IPS officer Pinak Mishra has been appointed as the district’s new superintendent of police.
Two senior police officials, DCP Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhy, have been suspended for alleged negligence in handling the crowd during the event.
The chaos reportedly began around 4 a.m. when two trucks carrying ceremonial items entered an already crowded area, leading to panic and a stampede-like situation. While authorities claim crowd-control protocols were in place, preliminary accounts point to critical failures in implementation.
The probe committee is expected to submit its report within a week, which is likely to shed light on accountability lapses and recommend preventive measures.
Puri’s titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba, has also voiced his anguish and urged the state to ensure a thorough inquiry and introduce safeguards to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Held annually, the Rath Yatra is one of the most sacred and grand celebrations in Odisha, attracting lakhs of devotees. The incident has raised urgent questions about public safety during major religious events.
