Srimandir Security: Shoe stands, shops near temple wall to be shifted

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Puri: The administration has decided to remove all the shoe stands and sweet stalls near the temple wall (Meghanada Pacheri) to improve security.
According to Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarthak Kumar Sarangi, “We have decided to evict the roadside vendors, shoe stands and sweet stalls adjacent to the Meghanada Pacheri surrounding the shrine.” The decision was taken in compliance with the recommendations of a team of National Security Guard (NSG) officials who visited the shrine in August this year, he added.
The NSG team had taken stock of Srimandir security during its recent visit to the shrine and advised the administration to remove the shoe stands and sweet shops from near the temple wall.
Sarangi said the inspector in-charge of Singhadwar police station has been advised to carry out the eviction drive.
The NSG has expressed concern over security of the 12th century shrine as it has remained under threat from terrorists.
During its visit, the NSG team had also recommended introduction of identity cards for servitors, non-servitors and temple staff. It also wanted metal detectors at the entry of the shrine, scanner, deployment of adequate security personnel inside the temple and watchtowers for outer security.
Moreover, Director General of Police (DGP) RP Sharma has recently raised concern over the temple security as visitors could not be thoroughly scanned due to absence of adequate number of metal detectors. He also suggested installation of more metal detectors at a recently held meeting here. Likewise, the DGP stressed on security of places near Meghanada Pacheri and those adjacent to the temple.
The SP said there are chances that anyone can plant a bomb or explosive in the bags which the visitors keep at the shoe stand. PNN