Bhograi, Ap 27: The story of the recent Pat Festival has taken a dark turn as over ten devotees were burned during an Aghori ritual, and even after 14 days, some have yet to fully recover. Many Bengali and Odia participants remain hospitalized.
This year, the Chhatak Yatra, which began on April 3, was planned to conclude with the Neela Purnima on April 12 and the Maha Pat Festival on April 13. To maintain safety, nearly 21 platoons of police, 3 platoons of BSF, 45 firefighters, and two temporary health centers were deployed. The festival was coordinated by Bhograi Tehsildar Surya Kumar Nayak along with Odisha officials and other authorities.
The incident occurred on the evening of April 13 at around 6 pm during a large procession from Badasarisa to the Chandaneswar temple. Devotees, including those carrying the Dasalaxmi of Baba Chandaneswar, had gathered in large numbers. The procession featured traditional and modern musical performances arranged by Tehsildar Nayak.
Trouble arose when some Aghori performers brought petrol in bottles and set devotees on fire. One performer drew a trident on the road with petrol and ignited it, injuring numerous devotees from Odisha and West Bengal. Chaos ensued, with victims screaming for help amidst loud music and crowd noise, making rescue difficult. Many were taken to nearby primary health centers for treatment, while two seriously injured young men were transported to Bhubaneswar for advanced care. Other Bengali devotees were also hospitalized.
Despite 14 days having passed since the accident, the victims have received little to no assistance from government authorities, prompting complaints from the affected families. Tehsildar Nayak confirmed he was informed about the incident by the injured youth but said no resolution was coordinated with temple authorities.
Questions remain about how performers were allowed to bring petrol into a crowded festival attended by hundreds of thousands, especially with 22 platoons of police and numerous officials present. The administration has remained largely silent on this issue, leaving many devotees frustrated and seeking accountability.
