Srimandir admin claims 22 decimal land of fire-ravaged market belongs to Lord Jagannath

In a fresh twist to the Puri Laxmi Market complex fire mishap, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday claimed that 22 decimal land of the market located near Marichikot Chhak on Grand Road belongs to Lord Jagannath.

In a letter to the Tehsildar, the temple administration has urged to carry out an eviction drive on the land owned by the Holy Trinity. Besides, the SJTA has requested the Tehsildar to probe the possession of 3.5 decimal land of the temple by a private person.

Meanwhile, a committee headed by the Puri sub-collector has submitted a status report of damage caused by the devastating fire at Laxmi Market Complex.

Notably, the massive fire that erupted in a market complex in the pilgrim town last week swallowed over 40 shops. However, over 150 tourists staying in a hotel and over 50 persons present at the shops escaped unhurt in the mishap.

Though the exact reason behind the fire mishap could not be ascertained yet, reports suggest the fire first broke out at a garment shop on the first floor of the complex and spread to other nearby shops.

Following the fire mishap, the district administration under the chairmanship of Puri Sub-Collector formed a committee to ascertain the cause of the massive blaze and assess losses caused by the fire.

(Reported by Madhusudan Mishra, OTV)