Puri Stampede: 147 Witnesses Testify Before Inquiry Panel

Fast Summary:

• three people lost their lives, and around 50 were injured during a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, on june 29, 2025.
• The incident occured amidst heavy crowds during the Rath Yatra festivities when chariots of sibling deities were stationed near the temple.
• A total of 147 individuals have provided testimony as part of an administrative inquiry led by Development Commissioner-cum-additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
• Statements were recorded in four separate sessions held in Bhubaneswar and Puri. Thes include input from servitors, police personnel on duty at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), public attendees, and other stakeholders.
• The state goverment instantly suspended the District Collector and Superintendent of Police following the incident.
• Ms. Garg visited the site to gather evidence for her report due by july 30. She also reviewed video footage sourced from media outlets and individuals.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The tragic stampede at such a culturally notable event highlights serious concerns regarding crowd management during large-scale religious gatherings in India. While immediate action was taken by suspending key officials, systemic changes may be needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The ongoing inquiry led by anu Garg appears thorough-interviewing diverse stakeholders including law enforcement officials actively responsible for crowd regulation at the rath Yatra. Her approach to incorporating multi-modal evidence like video recordings demonstrates diligence aimed at holding responsible entities accountable.

This tragedy underscores India’s dual challenge: preserving cultural traditions while ensuring modern safety standards are upheld amid growing attendance at events like Puri’s Rath Yatra. A robust plan addressing contingency measures could serve as a precedent to improve large-event governance nationwide.

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