Fire Ravaged Laxmi Market On Jagannath Temple Land! Puri Admin Begins Probe

Puri: Laxmi Market Complex, which was ravaged by a devastating fire in Odisha’s Puri town last week, is stated to have been erected on a piece of land belonging Shree Jagannath Temple.

Sources said a probe has been launched by the administration to ascertain the facts. Revenue officials have initiated the process of examining land records and documents. The occupants the building will be evicted if the land is found to be that of Lord Jagannath after thorough scrutiny.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has written to Puri Tehsildar to seeking eviction of the market complex claiming that 22 decimals of the land on which the building has been constructed belong to Lord Jagannath.

Puri Tehsildar Khirod Kumar Behera has reportedly stated that a letter in this regard has been received from SJTA. A thorough probe is being conducted and appropriate action will be initiated if the land is found to be that of the 12^th century shrine, he said.

According to SJTA’s Administrator (Development), A K Jena, the land comes under Khatian No. 67 of Chudangasahi and 22 an area of decimals of the land on which the market complex was built is in the name of the Temple, while 3 decimals belog to a private person. After proper probe, steps will be taken for eviction if it is found to be occupied illegally.

Meanwhile, the committee formed to go into the recent fire incident has submitted the status report of damage caused by the blaze at Laxmi Market Complex at Marichikot Chhak on Grand Road.

It may be noted here that Laxmi Market Complex was devastated by a massive fire that broke out in the building on March 8. The blaze was completely extinguished on March 10 after 36 hours rigorous firefighting.