Sacrifice for sake of Jagannath temple's security: Naveen Patnaik to Puri locals

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik made an emotional appeal to those Puri residents, who are likely to be displaced by the ongoing demolition drive around the Jagannath temple to make the sacrifice for the sake of the shrine’s security .



“I know some families are likely to be affected.

But, their sacrifice is crucial to ensure the temple’s security. We should keep the temple protected for our future generation. You should feel like doing it as a seva (service) to the Lord Jagannath. Your sacrifice will always be remembered by the Odia community,” read Naveen’s appeal in Odia.

Though not yet officially confirmed, at least 300 families, three or four mutts and a few commercial establishments face imminent displacement by the eviction drive that started on August 19. The eviction drive started within 75-metre radius of the temple following the state cabinet’s decision.

Naveen pledged to duly rehabilitate the affected. “I, being the chief minister, promise that those, whose houses and shops come under the temple security zone, will be properly rehabilitated. The mutts, located in the security zones, will be relocated and rebuilt,” Naveen said.

Naveen said Odias have an unflinching faith on Jagannath and invoke the deities before start of every work. “Lord Jagannath is deeply attached with our souls. For centuries, Odias made tremendous sacrifice for the safety of Jagannath temple and the presiding deities. Our culture and traditional centred around Jagannath culture. But global terrorism is a big challenge. Terror groups are targetting religious institutions. So it is imperative to implement various security related suggestions in the temple,” Naveen said after holding a high-level meeting with officials here.

Though the Puri temple so far did not come under any terror attack, the state government is serious this time in the wake of scrapping of special status from Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre had also alerted all states to beef up security at vital installations.

Police said the structures around the temple pose serious security hazards. Though around 100 police personnel stay guard at the temple’s four gates and inside on a normal day, the surrounding of the shrine stands vulnerable to anti-socials. “We are helpless if someone throws hazardous materials inside the temple by standing outside the boundary wall. So, the government decided to clear all structures within 75-metre radius of the temple. After sanitization of the surrounding, we can easily keep tabs on movement of people outside the shrine,” a senior police officer said.