Seer Refuses To Vacate Emar Mutt Facing Bulldozers In Puri

Puri: Emar Mutt Mahant (seer) Rajgopal Ramanuja Das remained adamant despite being sent fillers from the Puri administration to vacate his room on the premises even as the drive to pull down the century-old unsafe structure continued for the second day on Friday.

Puri Collector Balwant Singh met him on Thursday night, following which he left the room this morning only to return after a while.

Despite much persuasion, he had earlier refused to budge from his stand, saying that he was not served any notice and the building was safe.

Meanwhile, the administration continued with the demolition drive. Police forces have been deployed in the entire mutt area to maintain law and order.

Notably, the Puri administration began to raze down Emar Mutt in the south-eastern corner of Jagannath Temple here on Thursday.

The demolition of the four-storey mutt began with the dismantling of the top floor in presence of the senior district officials, including the Puri Collector.

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.