Puri: A three-member team of the National Security Guard (NSG) Saturday examined security arrangements at the Jagannath temple here.
Sources said the NSG team reached the 12th century shrine at 10 am and observed its security apparatuses, including deployment of armed police personnel at its four gates. The three officials of the elite counter terrorism force collected details regarding the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the temple precincts.
“The NSG team took stock of security measures at Srimandir Jagamohan, Natamandap, Bhitara Bedha (inner circle) and Bahara Bedha (outer circle). The team also examined four watch towers established around the temple to keep tabs on suspicious elements,” said a source in Srimandir.
It was learnt that the NSG team spent around three hours at Srimandir and collected minute details of the security arrangements in and around the shrine. Sources said additional superintendent of police Banabihari Sahu, Jagannath temple administrator (security) and Singhadwar police station in-charge briefed the NSG team on the security preparedness.
The team later met superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi and enquired about police preparedness to deal with security challenges, sources said, adding the elite counter terrorism force has identified Srimandir as a sensitive place amid reports that two members of an extremist outfit had spent a few days in the Pilgrim City two years ago. Senior NSG official Ashutosh Nayak had written to district collector Aravind Agarwal apprising him that a team from the counter terrorism force would examine security affairs at Srimandir for two days starting August 28.
“The NSG team visited Srimandir two days ahead of the schedule. The team primarily observed security preparedness to tackle any possible terrorist strike at the shrine,” said a temple official on conditions of anonymity.
Basic safety flaws at Jagannath temple
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Puri: At a time when the National Security Guard (NSG) is reviewing the security arrangements at the Jagannath temple in light of reports that the holy town could be subjected to a possible terror attack, the Sri Jagannath temple administration (SJTA) has failed to ensure safety of the 12th century shrine.
Sources said some servitors and police personnel are allegedly using cellphones inside the shrine in gross violation of security guidelines. Besides, the temple administration has failed to issue identity cards to all servitors of Srimandir.
“Sometimes devotees enter the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir by identifying themselves as servitors. So it would not be a big task for terrorists to enter the sensitive places, some intellectuals said. They termed the use of cellphones and non-issuance of identity cards to all servitors a major security threat to the world famous temple.
According to sources, the Srimandir chief administrator, information officer, district collector and superintendent of police are allowed to take cellphones inside the shrine.
Apart from the four officials, none is allowed to take cellphones inside. There is a provision for `200 fine if anyone is found using cellphones inside the temple. However, some Srimandir employees, police personnel and servitors are seen openly violating the security guidelines. Recently, some servitors were found playing games in their cellphones near the Jay Vijay gate.
Earlier, several commissions have suggested all servitors should be issued identity cards. The recommendation was unanimously accepted by the temple administration. In 2016, the temple administration had issued identity cards to 1135 servitors. Since then no fresh identity cards have been issued to servitors.
Recently, a devotee had entered the sanctum sanctorum through Beheran Dwar during Krushna Balaram Besa August 20. Although the Jagannath temple police were present there, they failed to trace the devotee amid servitors. Moreover, there were instances of entry of non-Hindus to the temple on several occasions. PNN