Six persons arrested in connection with a firing incident on NH-18

Police arrested six persons involved in firing at a staff of a liquor outlet while looting Rs 8 lakh on 22 June.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The Opposition Biju Janata Dal on Friday sought for judicial enquiry, monitored by a sitting Judge of the Orissa High Court into the alleged mismanagement in this year's Puri Rath Yatra resulting in the death of three devotees and 750 injured in stampede due to poor crowd control measures.

A delegation of BJD leaders led by senior leader D P Mishra called on Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and sought his intervention for initiation of a judicial inquiry into Rath Yatra lapses.

The State Government has announced an administrative enquiry by the Development Commissioner. However this is grossly inadequate and not commensurate with the seriousness of the tragedy, the BJD in memorandum to Governor stated.

The regional party further alleged that callous and casual attitude of the BJP-led State Government resulted in the chaos.

The entire Rath Yatra witnessed severe traffic and crowd mismanagement, resulting in bottlenecks, stranded pilgrims, and obstructed emergency services, putting public safety at grave risk, the BJD said.