4 ANMs Suspended For Entering Jagnnath Temple In Puri Without Permission

Puri: Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Puri on Tuesday suspended four Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) workers for allegedly entering the Jagannath Temple here without prior permission.

The ANMs were assigned the duty of conducting thermal screening of the devotees at the Singhadwara of the temple on December 27. According to the schedule of phased reopening of the temple, the residents of Puri Municipality area were allowed entry to the temple from December 26 to 31.

But, the four ANMs entered the temple and had darshan of the deities without informing the authorities. As the restrictions are strictly enforced to prevent spread of COVID-19, they were suspended for the violation, sources said.

After remaining closed for 9 months due to the pandemic and the lockdown, the district administration and temple management committee decided to reopen the temple in a phased manner on December 23.

While the sevayats and their families were allowed to enter the temple from December 23 to 25, the local residents of Puri were given permission subsequently.

The devotees from outside the district can go inside the temple from January 3 as it will remain closed on January 1 and 2.

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