Odishatv Bureau

Puri: The fourth and final Rath Yatra Coordination Committee meeting concluded. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired the meeting and took stock of preparedness for the annual festival.

Patnaik also reviewed the ongoing road works, drinking water facilities, drainage and law and order for Rath Yatra.

"I have just reviewed the Rath Yatra arrangements. With the Lord's blessings everything will go well and safe way," Patnaik said.

On security arrangements, DGP Rajendra Prasad Sharma said that 140 platoons of police force will be deployed for the annual festival.

Besides, 800 police officers will be mobilised to ensure safety in and outside the Puri Srimandir, said Sharma, adding that all measures have been taken to maintain law and order situation in the pilgrim town during Rath Yatra.

Meanwhile, tomatoes were also hurled at the CM's carcade near Chakratirtha road in front of the RTO office in Puri and  Congress activists allegedly showed black flags.

Earlier in the morning today, several activists of Lulu Sena and Jagannath Sena protested the visit of the CM for the Coordination meeting. Later, they were detained by the police.

The fourth Coordination meeting was earlier scheduled to be held on July 3 but the State government had to defer it till July 6 as the Sri Jagannath Sevayat Sammelani’s called to boycott the event accusing the Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal of maligning the image of servitors.

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