Security scare; UP man attempts to climb Puri Srimandir, detained

Security at the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri came under the spotlight once again after a man attempted to scale the temple on Friday. The incident took place at the ‘Paschima Dwara’, near the Nrusingha Mandir, raising questions over the security arrangements again. The accused has been identified as Manoj Singh, a resident of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh. 

According to sources, Singh tried to scale the temple from the Nrusingha Mandir side. However, alert security personnel intercepted him midway and brought him down safely. He was immediately taken into custody and shifted to the Srimandir police station for further interrogation.

This latest incident adds to a series of recent security breaches at the revered temple. Only a few days ago, another devotee from Ranchi was caught while attempting to climb the shrine near the Dakshini Ghara (southern side).  Similarly, a devotee from Ganjam district was apprehended while trying to scale the temple’s outer walls.

These repeated incidents have triggered widespread concern over the safety of the shrine. Authorities had earlier assured that preventive measures were being taken. 

Recently, the Puri Superintendent of Police had announced that barricades had been erected near the Ekadashi Mandir and Dakshini Ghara to stop such attempts.

However, despite these measures, recurring intrusion attempts have raised serious questions about whether the existing security arrangements are sufficient or not.