Puri, June 29: In the wake of the tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri, that claimed the lives of three pilgrims, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Calling the lapse “unforgivable,” the Chief Minister took moral responsibility for the incident and offered an apology to the devotees.

The CM said, “This should never have happened. I express my heartfelt condolences and ask for forgiveness from all devotees. The administration’s failure to manage the crowd is a serious lapse.”

He directed an urgent investigation into the incident and emphasised that those found negligent will face strict and uncompromising action.

The Chief Minister has also instructed district and temple officials to bolster safety measures for the remaining days of the festival to prevent any further mishaps.

The tragedy has sparked grief across the state and raised questions about crowd control and event planning during one of Odisha’s largest religious gatherings.

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