4 killed in stampede in Jagannath Temple; probe ordered

Puri, Nov 4 (UNI) In a shocking incident at the 12th century Jagannath Temple, four devotees were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede near the sanctum sanctorum of the temple during the ''mangala alati''.

Temple sources said a mad rush by the thousands of devotees who had congregated inside the temple since early morning to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath, led to the unfortunate incident at 0700 hours.

While two devotees were brought dead to the Puri Sadar Hospital, as many succumbed to the injuries later. Three of the victims were women in the age group of 60 years while the other victim was a 75 year-old man.

The Orissa government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident by the sitting judge of the High court and announced an ex- gratia of Rs one lakh to the kin of the deceased and free medical treatment for those injured in the incident.

The Jagannath Temple Management Committee, which held an emergency meeting this evening, also announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to the next kin of the victims and free treatment for the injured devotees.

The Committee also decided to conduct a probe into the incident within 10 days.

MORE UNI XC-DP JYN PM BD2037