Tight Security at Puri Jagannath Temple

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Feb 16, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The Orissa government on Tuesday decided to scale up security in and around the Jagannath Temple in the wake of the brazen terror strike in West Bengal on Monday.

The world famous 12th century shrine stands amongst the high risk category temples in the country. Even the Jagannath Temple's Chief Administrator, Ashok Meena said that "Sri Jagannath Temple lies under threat perception from subversive groups".

"Since there is threat to the temple, security would be beefed up for the smooth darshan for devotees. Tight checking and frisking would be made at entrance points of the temple," Meena said.

The decision to upgrade the temple security was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary T.K. Mishra and attended by Home Secretary A.P. Padhi, DGP Manmohan Praharaj, Director of Intelligence Prakash Mishra, Temple's Chief Administrator Ashok Meena, and Puri SP, Sanjay Kumar.

It was also decided that high resolution closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) would be installed inside the temple. A posse of policemen would stand guard outside the shrine to keep a close watch on the movement of pilgrims.

A fire station would be built close to the temple as part of security measures for the temple. The Singhadwar police station, under which the temple falls, would be upgraded.

"As Sri Jagannath Temple is one among the four important 'Dhams' for Hindus, it should be provided with all sorts of security," the Chief Secretary, T.K. Mishra said.