Worry over Sri Jagannath temple security; videos going viral repeatedly despite tight security measures

Puri, 25/12: The police administration is worried over the security of Sri Jagannath temple in Puri. Videos are going viral repeatedly revealing the temple interiors despite tight security measures. The religious sentiment of lakhs of Odias and devotees of Lord Jagannath is linked to the security and performance of rituals in this 12th century living shrine.   Questions are being raised as to how mobile phones and cameras are gaining entry inside penetrating the tight security cover. A recent incident on Saturday in which a youth was seen talking over mobile phone inside the temple and the video photograph of temple interior going viral has caused concern among the intellectual and devotees. On December 21, a youth was seen talking over mobile phone at the Chahani Mandap and on the same day, the interiors of the Gundicha temple went viral. This has raised concern over the security of the 12th century shrine. Intellectuals and devotees have demanded stringent action against the law violators. Tight security measures have been adopted in the four entrances of the temple complex as it has been under the target of terrorists. Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance while close circuit TV cameras have detected inside the temple premises to keep watch on the movement of suspicious persons. Question have been raised as to how and why mobile photographs are going viral despite the deployment of Odisha police, Odisha Industrial Security Force and policemen in plain clothes. Following several incidents in the past, police had conducted investigations by interrogating the accused persons as to under which circumstances they had committed such offences. However, it was learnt that some devotees were doing this taking advantage of huge rush. Puri SP said the frisking measures would be made tighter. Intellectuals and devotees opine that stringent action be taken against the law violators and awareness be generated among the visitors.