Govt speeds up appointments for Puri temple security force
Bhubaneswar: The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror strike has prompted the state govt to accelerate the process of appointing officers for the newly raised security force of the
Puri Jagannath Temple
.
The govt aims to make the
Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini
(SSMSV) functional within a month, ensuring its deployment before the Rath Yatra on June 27, which is expected to draw more than 10 lakh devotees.
According to an order from the state police headquarters on Friday, seen by TOI, the govt has appointed one commandant, two deputy commandants, and three assistant commandants for the unit, directing them to join their new posts by Monday.
ADG (headquarters) Dawal Gangwar told TOI, "The newly appointed officers will be relieved from their previous positions immediately. Movement orders have been issued, directing them to join the new place of posting on or before July 28 without availing any further joining time."
The previous govt had announced the dedicated security battalion on Dec 25, 2023. The BJP govt named it as SSMSV in Dec 2024. The appointment process that did not start has now been fast-tracked in the backdrop of the India-Pakistan tensions. The force comprises 1,083 armed personnel, including 720 sepoys and 240 havildars, alongside other ranked officers.
ADG (special armed police) Rajesh Kumar told TOI, "Since the appointment process has started, we plan to make SSMSV operational very soon. The dedicated force is likely to take guard in and around the temple before Rath Yatra, which is on June 27."
Puri SP Vinit Agrawal said, "SSMSV will function under the operational control of the SP and administrative control of the commandant. The process has started to identify office space and accommodation for the SSMSV personnel."
Sources said the recruitment strategy excludes direct appointments to SSMSV. Personnel will be posted on deployment tenure from the armed force wing, civil police and other establishments, with provisions for temporary deputation from central paramilitary forces. The DGP will determine the SSMSV's uniform and logo shortly. The force's primary responsibility includes comprehensive security for the Jagannath Temple, Shree Gundicha Temple, Parikrama Marg, Mausi Maa Temple, Badadanda, Shree Marg and surrounding sensitive areas. Training will focus on neutralising potential threats to the Jagannath Temple.
"SSMSV will coordinate with the National Security Guard for regular anti-terror drills. Their responsibilities encompass managing crises, contingencies and unexpected situations arising from terrorism, extremism and hostage scenarios targeting Jagannath Temple," another police officer said.
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