Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is yet to issue identity cards to the servitors and employees of Srimandir even though the Supreme Court (SC) had issued a directive in this regard about six months ago.
Several social activists and intellectuals opine that the SJTA should take immediate steps to issue identity cards to Srimandir servitors and employees to firm up security arrangement at the shrine.
Srimandir, the abode of Lord Jagannath, has been under the target of some extremist groups for last several years. Intelligence department had also submitted a report in this regard to the authorities concerned following which the state government has deployed security personnel in and around the temple.
The security personnel deployed at the four gates of Srimandir frisk the devotees and prevent them from carrying mobile phones and other electronic gadgets into the shrine. However, the policemen allow the servitors and employees into the temple unchecked identifying them from their attire.
Taking advantage of the situation, some people under the guise of servitors enter the shrine and often harass the devotees by seeking donations, sources said.
“The security personnel usually identify servitors by their dresses. So, some outsiders under the guise of servitors usually enter the shrine without facing any security check. This can result in a major security breach at the shrine,” said a social activist.
According to him, “The temple administration should take immediate steps to issue identity cards to servitors and Srimandir employees. Issuance of identity cards can only check the free entry of unauthorised persons into the shrine,” he said.
Notably, the SC had asked the temple administration to implement a set of 12 reform measures at Srimandir while hearing a case on the 12th century shrine July 5, last year. The reform measures include issuance of identity cards to the servitors and employees of Srimandir.