Puri: In a major security lapse just days ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, a drone was spotted flying over Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri early Thursday morning in violation of the strict ‘no-fly zone’ regulations over the 12th-century shrine.
According to sources, the incident took place around 5:30 am on July 9. The drone was seen hovering over the Nilachakra (the blue wheel atop the temple spire) for a considerable amount of time, sending security personnel into a tizzy. The youth operating the drone was immediately tracked
down. He has been identified as Jaikrishna Mandal from Kolkata. The drone, along with recorded footage and related equipment, was seized and Mandal handed over to the Singhadwara Police, who are currently grilling him on his motives for operating the aerial vehicle over the prohibited zone.
Preliminary findings suggest he was a tourist visiting Puri and was trying to capture footage of the temple structure. He is believed to be a YouTuber.
The breach has caused deep concern among local authorities, especially because the city is on a state of high alert in preparation for the upcoming Rath Yatra. Ironically, just a day prior, security forces had conducted an extensive anti-terrorist mock drill near the temple vicinity to test their readiness against potential security threats.
While the temple administration and Puri police have repeatedly issued strict warnings that flying drones over the Jagannath Temple is illegal, such violations by tourists and content creators continue to pose a recurring challenge. Police officials have reiterated their appeal to the public and visitors to strictly respect the temple’s security guidelines and standard operating procedures.