Puri: Following the Supreme Court’s go-head to conduct Rath Yatra in Puri with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, the Odisha government on Monday announced a 17-hour shutdown in the entire district.
“The shutdown will remain in force from 9 pm tonight till 2 pm on Wednesday. To restrict the entry of the people, all entry points will be sealed and barring urgent matters, no one will be allowed to enter Puri town. The shutdown period will be treated like the imposition of curfew,” Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay told the media here after a high-level preparatory meeting.
The DGP requested the people of other districts and the people from other areas of Puri district not to visit the Pilgrim Town during the shutdown.
Stating that the administration and the police are ready for Rath Yatra, he said about 50 platoons of force will be deployed for smooth conduct of the annual event.