Puri: Hundreds of devotees have been denied the facility of free shoe stands near Srimandir here after protestors damaged four such structures during the bandh called by Sri Jagannath Sena October 3.
Now, poor devotees are facing problems for safekeeping of their shoes, mobile phones and other belongings while visiting the 12th century shrine.
Several paid shoe stands have been operating near Srimandir for the last several years. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in association with a religious outfit had set up a free shoe stand near its office in March this year.
Subsequently, the temple administration had set up four more such shoe stands near Singhadwar police station for welfare of devotees, especially the poor. These free stands were instrumental in safekeeping shoes, mobile phones and other belongings of devotees.
A mob had damaged the four free shoe stands near Singhadwar police station during the October 3 bandh to protest the queue system for devotees at Srimandir. The protestors set the free shoe stands on fire after ransacking them.
“Now, devotees are being forced to spend at least Rs 20 for the safekeep of their shoes and other belonging at the paid shoe stands near the 12th century shrine,” said a social activist.
