Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 29: With Lord Jagannath’s ‘Nabakalebara’ festival hitting hurdles due to controversies, the state government Monday entrusted additional charge with IG, (Operations), Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the fete.
Priyadarshi would oversee all security arrangements during ‘Nabakalebara Rath Yatra’ in Puri July 18, a government official said.
The senior IPS officer, who had been in-charge of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra twice in the past, would be stationed at Puri till the end of the
Nabakalebara festival.
Besides monitoring security arrangements for the event, expected to be witnessed by about 50 lakh devotees, Priyadarshi would also coordinate with other activities for smooth conduct of the carnival.
Sources said the notification in this regard was issued by the home department following CM’s consent.
The state government had given him additional charge as OSD for ‘Nabakalebara’ on the basis of his experience during his tenure as SP, Puri, the official pointed out.
