Puri Jagannath temple servitors indulge in scuffle, 1 injured

An elderly servitor (Mukha Pakhala Sevayat) sustained grievous injuries after he was allegedly attacked by another servitor near Beharana Dwara of the Jagannath temple in Puri on Monday. The victim has been identified as Biswanath Khuntia.

According to sources, a heated confrontation broke out among two factions of servitors leading to injuries. The incident unfolded during the distribution of Paduka to devotees, escalating into a physical brawl. The incident occurred in noon.

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Even to the extent, the servitors had a brawl inside the Singhadwar Police Station.

The elderly servitor Biswanath was injured in the alleged manhandle, requiring preliminary medical assistance. The Singhadwar police have started an investigation to determine the cause and obtain comprehensive details about the incident.

The exact reason behind the alleged attack on Biswanath has not been ascertained yet.

The elderly servitor was taken by police to a hospital for treatment, an official said.

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Worth mentioning, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee suspended a servitor for allegedly attacking the temple supervisor following a dispute over sweets sale, on October 19. The servitor along with his aide was detained by the police.

The temple supervisor Ramachandra Pratihari had previously ousted a number of non-servitors selling Rabidi (condensed milk) in Anand Bazaar.