Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of two devotees who passed away during this year’s Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16. The announcement was made via a post on the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) official handle. The state government confirmed the deaths but refuted claims of a stampede during the festival.
The government clarified that seven individuals fell ill during the festival, with one elderly male devotee succumbing to his illness. Another male devotee, aged above 35, suffered a cardiac arrest despite immediate medical attention. Opposition leaders criticized the state government for alleged lapses in crowd management that resulted in the devotees’ deaths.
The opposition accused the government of trying to downplay a stampede incident that reportedly claimed the lives of three devotees and injured over 350 others. The BJD opposition party demanded a judicial inquiry into the stampede during the Rath Yatra and urged the government to ensure the smooth conduct of upcoming religious ceremonies without disruptions.
