Bhubaneswar, July 4: Days after the tragic stampede near Gundicha Temple in Puri during the annual Rath Yatra on June 29, the Odisha government has issued a heartfelt appeal to the public for assistance in its ongoing investigation.

The stampede, which occurred around 4:30 AM during the pahada bhanga ritual, claimed the lives of three devotees and left over 50 injured, six of them critically.

Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who is leading the administrative inquiry, urged citizens to share any relevant information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts that could shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragedy. The government has provided an email address (puritragedy.enquiry@odisha.gov.in) and two landline numbers to facilitate public contributions.

The stampede took place on June 29 night as thousands of devotees surged forward for darshan of Lord Jagannath’s chariot, overwhelming crowd control measures despite the deployment of over 10,000 police personnel.

In response, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi suspended two senior police officers and transferred the Puri Collector and Superintendent of Police. He also announced ₹25 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and vowed “strict and exemplary action” against those found negligent.

Anu Garg will be available to meet individuals willing to share information in Bhubaneswar on July 9 and in Puri on July 10, both after 3 PM. The inquiry report is expected within 30 days.

This tragedy has sparked widespread calls for improved crowd management and safety protocols during large-scale religious events. The Rath Yatra, which draws over a million devotees annually, remains one of India’s most revered and logistically complex festivals.

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