Puri: Law and order situation in the Puri town turned violent Wednesday when protesters went beserk by pelting stones at the Singhadwara Police Station, torching tents before the Jagannath temple, vandalising Traffic Post at Marichakot Chhak as well as the fire tender vehicle.
As the situation went beyond control, police had to resort to lathicharge and lobbying of teargas in a bid to disperse the rioting mob. When the situation turned worse, Section 144 of CrPC (Prohibitory Order) was clamped along the whole Bada Danda (Grand Road) area.
Prior to this, the protestors barged into and ransacked the the house of Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty. They also hurled stones at Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi’s residence and vandalized the office of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
The agitators also staged a road blockade on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) by burning tyres following which vehicular movement was forced to a grinding halt.
Besides, the protesters including the irate servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple broke barricades before the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) and attempted to barge into the temple.
As announced yesterday, Jagannath Sena activists resorted to a 12-hour bandh today opposing the ‘Dhadi Darshan’ (queue system) at the Srimandir implemented by the SJTA since October 1 (Monday).
The situation turned violent after police rounded up Jagannath Sena convener Priyadarshan Patnaik this morning.
PNN