Puri stampede: Soumendra Priyadrashi assigned charge of police operations for Rath Yatra

In wake of the tragic stampede during the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri, ADG Soumendra Priyadrashi has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing police operations on Sunday.

Priyadrashi will be in charge of police management during the ongoing Rath Yatra in the holy city. A directive regarding this appointment has been issued by the State Police Headquarters.

Earlier, as part of immediate administrative reshuffle following the incident, Puri District Collector and Superintendent of Police have been transferred. Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, while Pinak Mishra will take charge as the new SP of Puri. Additionally, DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended over allegations of negligence in duty.

Odisha government has appointed senior bureaucrat Aravind Agrawal as in-charge of overall supervision of the grand festival in Puri. In addition to his current role as the Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Agrawal will now also oversee the chariot management for the grand festival.

The General Administration Department has issued directives for the overall supervision of the event to ensure smooth execution of responsibilities.

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Odisha CM Mohan Majhi reportedly chaired a meeting with his deputies to assess Puri temple stampede situation. 

At least three persons were killed and around 50 others were injured in the stampede near the Gundicha Temple on Sunday morning.