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Bhubaneswar, Nov 8 (IANS) The Odisha government has ordered disciplinary action against seven police officers and decided to blacklist a private technology firm following an investigation into the June 29 stampede near Gundicha temple in Puri during the Rath Yatra, in which three people lost their lives and several were injured.
In an official communication, the Home (Special Section) department said the government has accepted the findings of the investigation led by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Coordination), which cited serious lapses in police supervision, poor coordination with the temple administration and failure of the AI-based Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC).
The officers found negligent police officers which include Ajay Kumar Padhi, Commandant, OSAP 3rd Battalion, Koraput; Vishnu Prasad Pati, DCP (HQ), Bhubaneswar–Cuttack; Tapas Ranjan Das, Commandant, SSMSV, Puri; KK Nayak, Deputy Commandant, SSMSV, Puri; Prasanta Kumar Sahoo, DSP City, Puri; Susanta Kumar Sahoo, IIC, Kumbharapada Police Station; and Sarada Prasad Dash, Commandant, OSAP 8th Battalion, Chatrapur.
The investigation found that the two senior-most officials in charge of crowd management – Padhi and Pati – were absent from the ground during the crucial period and failed to monitor the huge gathering. Both are already suspended. The DGP has been asked to initiate proceedings against him under Rule 15 of the Odisha Civil Service (CCA) Rules, 1962.
The report also pointed to lack of coordination with the Sevayats and the temple administration, inadequate communication leading to delays in rituals and failure to control the surging crowd. A vehicle laden with chariot ropes was allowed to pass through a densely packed area, allegedly leading to a stampede.
Serious shortcomings in the operation of ICCC were also exposed. Of the 275 CCTV cameras installed, only 123–232 feeds were functional, many were misaligned, and the AI-based crowd density and facial recognition systems were not working as required. Drones, although available, were not used effectively for real-time surveillance.
The Government has decided to blacklist ICCC vendor M/s Invent Grid India Pvt Ltd for failing to provide essential services. Disciplinary action has also been recommended against Commandant Sarada Prasad Dash, who oversees the ICCC, for failing to alert authorities despite the crowd being visible on live feed.
DGP has been instructed to submit the action taken report to the Home Department. Soon after the incident, Puri SP was transferred as an immediate administrative measure.
–IANS
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