Bhubaneswar: With the COVID-19 pandemic assuming alarming proportions in Bhubaneswar, the Commissionerate Police on Wednesday deployed one platoon of force near Ram Temple to prevent large congregations of devotees on the occasion of Ram Navami.
According to sources, the police evicted the vendors selling earthen lights and flowers in front of the temple.
As the temple remained closed, the devotees were seen at the main gate and offering flowers and bhogs to the sevayats to perform the puja for them.
Taking note of the COVID-19 surge, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday had announced the closure of all religious institutions in the city for the public from Wednesday.
The city has reported 3866 new cases in the last 19 days.
