Odisha CM Apologizes, Transfers Officials After Jagannath Rath Yatra Stampede

Following a fatal stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, which resulted in three deaths and numerous injuries, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi offered a public apology. The incident, which occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple, prompted immediate action from the government. Puri Deputy Police Commissioner Bishnu Charan Pati and police Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended, while Puri Collector Siddharth S Swain and SP Binit Agarwal have been transferred. The stampede happened early Sunday morning when crowds gathered for the unveiling of the deities on the chariots. Witnesses cited poor crowd management as a contributing factor, with reports of a new VIP entrance causing congestion. The Director General of Police is conducting an investigation, and the Chief Minister has vowed to take action against those responsible for the security lapses. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the government’s handling of the event, citing inadequate crowd control.