‘Threat to destroy Puri Srimandir’: Odisha Police swings into action, starts high-level probe

Puri police launched a high-level investigation after a threatening message about a possible attack on the Jagannath Temple was found written on the wall of a shrine near the Bali Sahi entrance of the Heritage Corridor (Parikrama) Marg on Wednesday. 

According to sources, the threat message was found written on the southern side of the Parikrama Marg, on the wall of the Budhi Maa Thakurani temple. The message was written at two different spots. One side contained the statement ‘terrorists will destroy the temple’ along with multiple phone numbers and an instruction to call them.

Puri SP Pinak Mishra confirmed that clues have been found in connection with the incident and that the collected evidence is being examined. He assured that the person responsible for writing such objectionable content will be identified soon.

Commenting on the matter, Mishra said, “From social media and our sources, we got to know about the scribble on Budhi Maa Thakurani temple. Our special team is investigating who wrote the objectionable post regarding the temple and when. The matter has been taken up very seriously.”

“CCTV is an integral part of the Heritage Corridor project, but some works are still pending. Other CCTV footage is being examined. We take up the matter seriously if it is related to the Srimandir and Lord Jagannath. I want to assure that it will be soon known who has written it,” the SP added.

In addition to the threat message, several decorative lights installed in the area were found damaged, allegedly by miscreants. Police are treating the matter seriously and tightening security around the temple.