Puri stampede lacks government crowd control, claims Patnaik
Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has called out the state government after a deadly stampede during Puri's Rath Yatra left three people dead and over 50 injured.
He offered condolences to the families and said the tragedy showed serious lapses in crowd management at a major festival.
Chaos broke out near Gundicha Temple
The chaos broke out near Gundicha Temple when a vehicle entered a packed area during the chariot procession, triggering panic.
Among those who lost their lives were a 70-year-old man and two women, while several others are still recovering from injuries.
Patnaik points to eyewitness accounts
Patnaik pointed to eyewitness accounts saying there was "no official crowd control" and called the delay in moving the chariot "a shocking lapse in duty."
The current Law Minister promised an investigation and action, while also criticizing the BJD for making political statements.