Man detained for hinting at terror attack on Puri shrine, released later
He was later released with a stern warning.
The man was identified as Raghunath Sahoo. He is reportedly suffering from mental health issues and was recently released from a de-addiction centre. Last year, he had been arrested for assaulting a police officer in Puri.
According to the police, Sahoo's graffiti, hinting at a potential
terror attack
on Jagannath shrine, was spotted at Heritage Corridor Marg outside the 12th century shrine.
It read, "Terrorists will demolish the Jagannath Temple," and was written in both Odia and English.
The message was accompanied by several landline numbers, including one purportedly belonging to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), which heightened security concerns.
The incident, initially perceived as a serious threat, kept the police and local authorities on edge for several hours as they scrambled to identify the source and intent behind the message.
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Although the graffiti was believed to have been written weeks back, it was discovered on Wednesday by a local resident, who promptly alerted the police. The timing of the discovery, just days before Independence Day, added to the urgency.
Upon being notified of the graffiti, police formed a special team to track down the person responsible. Within hours, Sahoo was identified as the culprit through CCTV footage and brought in for questioning.
"We quickly determined that Sahoo, who is mentally unstable, wrote the message as a mischievous act," Puri SP Pinak Mishra said.
Mishra, quoting Sahoo's family, said the suspect was recently discharged from a de-addiction centre in Puri. "Sahoo was previously arrested by Singhadwar police station last year for attacking a constable. We have left him in the custody of his family for care and treatment," Mishra added.
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