Puri Stampede Tragedy: Probes, Politics, and Accountability

In the aftermath of a deadly stampede at Puri's Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured 50 others, Odisha's Development Commissioner Anu Garg is heading the administrative inquiry into the tragic incident. Garg, also the Additional Chief Secretary, has been tasked with comprehensively investigating the circumstance surrounding the stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple.

She began her probe by visiting the site and engaging with key stakeholders. Garg has been given a 30-day deadline to submit her findings to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Meanwhile, the government has enacted personnel changes, suspending two police officers while transferring the District Collector and SP, indicating a firm response to potential negligence.

Controversy swirls as opposition parties demand a judicial investigation, accusing the administration of inadequacy. Concerns have been raised about the absence of security forces during the stampede, despite reports of 660 police personnel deployed. The opposition also questions the efficacy of CCTV monitoring during the event. Amidst these allegations, there are calls for the resignation of prominent ministers.

(With inputs from agencies.)