Puri: The Puri district administration on Thursday began to raze down Emar Mutt in the south-eastern corner of Jagannath Temple here.
The demolition of the four-storey mutt began with the dismantling of the top floor in presence of the senior district officials, including Puri collector Balwant Singh. To ward off any untoward incident, 10 platoons of police were deployed in the area.
Traffic was diverted at Kakudikhai Chhak and no vehicles were allowed to move towards the mutt in view of the drive being undertaken to ensure safety and security of the 12th century shrine as per the recommendations of the BP Das Commission.
A proposal to this effect was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Cabinet meeting on August 16.
The district administration on Wednesday had demolished a temporary cowshed of the mutt and shifted Raghunandan Library from its premise to Jagannath Ballav Mutt.
Like Languli and Emar, other mutts situated within 75 metre from the temple wall will also be bulldozed in the days to come.
