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Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Graffiti threatening ‘terrorists will demolish Jagannath Temple' found in Puri; Odisha police launch probe
Odisha Police said on Wednesday that two graffiti threatening that 'terrorists will demolish the Jagannath Temple' in Puri district were found on the wall of a small temple near the 12th-century shrine. One of the graffiti reads, 'Terrorists will demolish the Srimandir. Call me, or else there will be destruction,' reported news agency PTI. The text written in Odia was found on the wall of Maa Budhi Thakurani Temple located at Bali Sahi. 'There are several phone numbers mentioned on the wall of the temple. Words such as 'PM Modi', 'Delhi' were also mentioned,' a Puri resident was quoted as saying by PTI. Puri's Superintendent of Police (SP) Pinak Mishra, who visited the spot, said: 'We have taken cognisance of the matter and are taking it very seriously. We have got some information, and police teams are being formed to arrest those who are behind such a threat.' The police are verifying the CCTV footage in the area, and it appears that the threats were written on Tuesday night. 'CCTVs have been installed at several places. Security guards have also been deployed. Investigation is underway on a war footing,' the SP said. The police are also trying to ascertain the motive behind the mischief. The Odisha government has rejected the proposal made by some organisations for the sale of Puri Jagannath Temple's 'Mahaprasad' on an online platform, state Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Harichandan said some organisations recently requested the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to deliver the Puri temple's 'Mahaprasad' and 'dry prasad' to devotees through online platforms. 'Though it was a good idea to provide the prasad to devotees worldwide, the government and SJTA rejected the proposal to preserve the sanctity of the holy offering,' he said. 'We have doubts about whether the sanctity of 'Mahaprasad' can be maintained if it is transported and delivered in this manner,' he said.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
'Terrorists Will...' Threat Graffiti On Puri Jagannath Temple Walls Sparks Panic In Odisha
Puri Police have started an investigation, with Puri SP Pinak Mishra saying efforts have been initiated to identify the suspects by scanning CCTV footage Panic gripped residents of the holy city of Puri following threat messages on the walls of the Jagannath temple, raising serious security concerns for the famous 12th century shrine. The graffiti was spotted on the walls of the temple's southern Parikrama Marg. Warning messages were seen on the temple wall near the Balisahi entrance of the Parikrama Prakalpa (heritage corridor), a popular route taken by devotees. The threats were written at two locations on the wall of the Budhi Maa Thakurani temple. Much to the alarm of locals and temple authorities, the prominent wall writings included phrases like 'Terrorists will destroy the temple'. The messages also mentioned multiple phone numbers with instructions to 'call". The miscreants also vandalised decorative lights installed in the area. The defacement of the temple wall occurred in a high-security zone which is constantly under the scrutiny of CCTVs and security personnel. Puri Police have started an investigation, with Puri SP Pinak Mishra saying efforts have been initiated to identify the suspects by scanning CCTV footage and ascertain their motive behind such a brazen act. 'We are taking this matter very seriously as it concerns the security of the temple. Our team, which visited the spot, has gathered several important pieces of information. Only after apprehending the culprit will we be able to say for what purpose it was written," Mishra said. Responding to concerns about surveillance, the SP explained that although CCTV coverage is part of the Parikrama Project, installation is still pending in certain sections. 'We're currently checking if cameras were in place at the exact location of the incident. We've gathered some leads and are actively pursuing them," he said. The incident has not just spread fear among locals but also stressed the immediate need for stepping up surveillance measures at one of the most revered sites in the country. This is not a singular episode of the temple's security coming under threat. In the recent past, there were multiple cases of devotees entering the Srimandir premises with hidden spy cameras. A few youths had also scaled the temple walls to enter the premises, questioning the efficacy of the shrine's security apparatus. Built in the 12th century AD, the temple draws pilgrims to the sacred town of Puri year-round from across the globe. Festivals such as Devasnana Purnima and Ratha Yatra are marked by vibrant celebrations and deep religious devotion. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 13:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Terror threat' scribbled on Jagannath Temple walls, police jump into action
Devotees and servitors raised concerns over the safety of Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri after messages warning of a terror attack on the 12th-century shrine were found scribbled on its outer wall. Police said the messages were found on the wall of a small temple near the entrance of a popular route for devotees to enter the temple, and at another place on the other side of the temple. The messages read that 'terrorists will demolish the Jagannath Temple'. Puri police have formed a special team to identify the person who scribbled the messages and to determine the motive. Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said, 'Any matter related to Lord Jagannath and the shrine is taken very seriously and dealt with at the highest level. Since some objectionable things were scribbled on the temple wall, we have formed a special team to identify the miscreants. We have got some clues and more information is being collected.' Police sources said they are speaking to locals who claim to have seen a person write on the walls.. Puri, one of the four dhams according to Hinduism, draws thousands of devotees from across the country to the Jagannath Temple.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Puri police arrest 11 for fleecing devotees by posing as servitors
BHUBANESWAR: In a major crackdown, Puri police arrested 11 people for impersonating as sevayats and extorting money from the devotees at the Shree Jagannath Temple. The group were mostly targeting the devotees from outside the state. They wore the traditional attire of the temple servitors and behaved like them to lure the unsuspecting visitors. Police had received information that the accused persons were active on Bada Danda and Parikrama Road. SP in-charge Pinak Mishra constituted a special team and launched an operation to nab the frauds. The team found out that the gang was not only extorting devotees but also resorting to intimidation and violence against them inside the temple. 'The accused persons were approaching the devotees on the pretext of guiding them during their visit to Shree Jagannath Temple in exchange for money. If the visitors refused to pay the money, they resorted to abuse, threats and even violence,' Mishra said. They were cheating devotees on the promise of performing puja and facilitating their darshan in the temple. Singhadwar and Town police stations had registered one case each in this connection. Police recovered 14 mobile phones and Rs 20,000 cash from them.
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Hans India
Balanga girl's statement recorded thrice
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police on Wednesday said the probe into setting a 15-year-old girl ablaze allegedly by three unidentified persons is 'in the final stages'. The girl was allegedly set on fire in the morning of July 19 near the banks of Bhargavi river close to her residence at Balanga in Puri district. Puri SP Pinak Mishra made the assertion while replying to a question over the delay in nabbing the culprits. 'The girl, who suffered 70 per cent burn injuries, is undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Delhi and is in a stable condition. A DSP-rank officer and the officer-in-charge of Balanga police station are camping at the national capital. They are carrying out a detailed probe and questioning those concerned to collect evidence,' the SP said. 'We have gathered important clues in the case,' he said. Stating that the police are handling the case with utmost sensitivity, Mishra said the victim's health condition is the topmost priority, and 'this was not the right time to speak about the motive behind the crime'. Sources said that police, in the presence of a magistrate, have recorded the statement of the victim thrice (once in AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and twice in Delhi). Her statement is considered very crucial as the police investigation did not indicate the involvement of three unknown miscreants in the incident, they said, adding that apart from a silver finger ring, the police have not recovered any material to identify the alleged attackers. Earlier, the police investigated the incident based on the statement of Dukshishyam Senapati, the villager who doused the fire and sent her to the hospital. Senapati had told the police that the victim said that three persons kidnapped her while she was walking and set her on fire. However, police are yet to get any clue on the involvement of three persons in the incident, sources said.
