October 3, 2018
Violence rocked parts of Puri, Odisha after authorities at the popular Jagannath temple introduced a queue system for entrance to the 12th-century shrine. Reports of violence came in from the temple town with clashes being reported between people opposed to the queue system and the police.
Authorities have imposed Section 144, which prohibits public gathering of more than four people, in and around the Jagannath temple in Puri. The temple has also been temporarily shut down.
A video tweeted by local news channel Odisha TV showed protesters waving black flags and vandalising barricades.
The channel’s Twitter handle also tweeted another video that it said was of protesters forcibly entering Puri MLA Maheshwar Mohanty’s home.
The queue system was introduced on Monday by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. The temple administration’s move was part of reforms suggested by the Supreme Court.
The queue system was introduced on an experimental basis. Under the system, devotees would be allowed to enter the 12th-century Jagannath temple in a queue through the ‘Singhadwara’ (main gate).
The would have to move through barricades before being let into the temple for darshan. Exit would be allowed through ‘Uttaradwara’ (north gate).
Source : India Today
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