Puri: Amid preparations for a civil defence mock drill, a special team of the National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a review of security arrangements at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri town on Tuesday.
Officials said that the four-member NSG team held thorough discussions with senior officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri.
The visit of the NSG team assumes significance as it comes ahead of the nationwide mock drill scheduled to be heal on Wednesday in the wake of heightened tension between India and Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack. The visit comes amid concerns over the safety of the 12th-century shrine, which sees a massive influx of devotees and tourists from across the country throughout the year.
The NSG team held discussions with senior officials responsible for the temple’s security and closely examined the existing security infrastructure, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and exploring advanced protective measures to safeguard the temple premises and its visitors.
The team members also held preliminary discussions with the district police to chalk out an actionable plan for enhanced surveillance and response mechanisms.
According to Puri SP Vinit Agrawal, the team of NSG commandos conducted a review of security arrangements at the temple, which aligns with their periodic inspections of major pilgrimage sites and sensitive locations
Similar NSG visits to Shree Jagannath Temple were undertaken in March 2021, September 2018, and July 2017, indicating that such reconnaissance is a standard procedure to ensure the shrine’s safety, especially given its significance as a major Hindu pilgrimage site.
These exercises often involve mock drills and coordination with state police to assess and strengthen security measures, particularly in light of the temple’s vulnerability to potential threats
