Relief for local devotees as entry norm relaxed at Puri Srimandir

Puri: After violence during the bandh called over newly introduced queue system of entry into Srimandir stalled the entire pilgrim town leading to law and order situation yesterday, the administration has now decided to relax the new arrangement and allow the entry of local devotees through three other gates- Hathidwara, Vyaghradwara and Ashwadwara apart from Singhadwara.

After a peace meeting with other stakeholders yesterday, Puri Collector Jyoti Prakash Das informed that local devotees will now be allowed to move through the other three gates after they produce necessary ID proof such as Aadhaar card.

Members of the outfit blocked road by burning tyres on Badadanda and ransacked the office of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The protestors also vandalised the residence of Puri MLA and revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty, pelted stones at the house of Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi and attacked police personnel deployed in the pilgrim town.

Later, police conducted a flag march on Puri Grand Road to bring the situation under control and restore peace in the town.