Bhubaneswar, June 29: In the wake of a tragic incident at Puri's ‘Saradhabali’ that claimed the lives of three devotees and left many injured, the Odisha government has undertaken a swift administrative overhaul. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi described the negligence as “inexcusable” and ordered an immediate inquiry, promising exemplary action against those found responsible.

Senior IPS officer and ADG of Police Modernization, Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, has been entrusted with the key responsibility of overseeing police arrangements during the ongoing Ratha Yatra festival, including major rituals and festivities.

Priyadarshi, known for his past experience as Puri SP, had previously managed the festival’s security apparatus. Following a high-level review meeting involving the Chief Minister, both Deputy Chief Ministers, and the Law Minister, several critical decisions were announced. Puri Collector Siddharth Swain and SP Vinit Agrawal have been transferred. DCP Bishnu Prasad Pati and Commandant Ajay Kumar Padhi of the 3rd OSAP Battalion have been suspended.

In their place, Chanchal Rana, Khordha Collector, takes charge as Puri Collector, and Pinak Mishra, currently with the STF, has been appointed as Puri SP. Both officers have prior experience in Puri and have begun ground-level preparations.

Additionally, Higher Education Secretary Arvind Agrawal will assume supplementary responsibilities for managing festival coordination, bringing his earlier tenure as Puri Collector to bear. An administrative probe headed by the Development Commissioner has been ordered, with a report expected within a month.

The Law Minister emphasized that anyone found guilty of lapses will face strict action.

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