PURI, June 5: Around 70 platoons of police personnel, along with four senior commandant-rank officers and 450 other officers, will be deployed for the Snan Purnima (grand bathing) ritual of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on June 11.
Deputy Inspector General of Police S. Pravin Kumar told the media on Thursday that their primary aim is to ensure discipline during the darshan of the deities, maintain security for the devotees, and regulate traffic.
Snan Purnima is a significant ritual of the Trinity, observed before the annual Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to take place on June 27.
Earlier in the day, the DIG discussed security arrangements with the Superintendent of Police, Vinit Kumar, and other senior district officers.
The temple administration has also conducted several meetings with temple servitors and the Daitas to ensure the timely observance of the daily rituals of the deities.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced a prize of Rs. 2.25 crore for the Daitas if the rituals of the deities-beginning with Snan Purnima, Pahandi, pulling of the Rathas on schedule, Bahuda Yatra (return car festival), Suna Vesha, and Niladri Bije-are conducted smoothly.
Reportedly, the Law Department has sent a letter to the chief administrator of the Sri Jagannath temple regarding this incentive.
Other servitors have welcomed the significant financial incentives for the Daitas. However, they
have urged the government to release funds for all servitors involved in the Rath Yatra, stating that excluding other servitor communities creates discontentment, as their services are not being recognized by the government.
(UNI)
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