Demolition of structures around Sri Jagannath temple begins amid tight security

Puri:The Puri district administration on Monday carried out the  scheduled demolition  drive of both private and government structures located in close proximity to Meghnad prachir (wall) of Sri Jagannath temple.

Twenty five platoons of police force  including riot police and four magistrates were deployed  during the  demolition. Puri Superintendent  of police Umashankar Dash and sub collector Bhabtaran Sahu supervised the operation which would continue till all the structures were removed.

Before the demolition began police sealed the area and power supply to the structures were disconnected.Today the cloak room, toilet complex and shoe stand were brought down.

This apart nine other structures like the information stall, power supply substation,  police out post and Ramdaya parishad buildings would be demolished, official sources said.

The officials of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were present. The demolition was being carried out as the ASI had approached the administration to clear the structures from the temple wall on the ground of security threat.

Earlier in 2015 the  administration had removed 89 structures from around the temple wall and there was no resistance  from the  people during the operation.

Incidentally in  a major decision  to ensure  safety and security of  12th century Sri Jagannath  temple, the Odisha cabinet  on August 16 last decided to  demolish all constructions around 75 metres radius  of  Jagannath temple.The decision was taken on the basis of the reports of the Justice B P Das Committee.