Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 (IANS) — Security has been intensified in Puri after threatening graffiti targeting the iconic Jagannath Temple was discovered on the walls of a smaller shrine near the 12th-century landmark.
The message, written in Odia, read “Terrorist will destroy the Temple” and was spotted at two locations on the Budhi Maa Thakurani Temple, situated on the southern side of the main shrine near the Balisahi entrance of the Puri Parikrama Prakalpa Marg (Heritage Corridor). The graffiti also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name and included unverified phone numbers.
Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra confirmed that a special team is investigating. “We have taken serious cognisance of this incident as it concerns the security of the Jagannath Temple. Our team is examining CCTV footage from the temple and surrounding areas, and we have already gathered some clues,” Mishra said.
Police suspect the graffiti was written late Tuesday night. Locals reported that a mentally unstable individual had been seen scribbling random messages in the area over the past few days.
The incident comes just weeks after concerns were raised about security lapses at the temple, when unidentified individuals scaled the Meghanada Pacheri, the outer boundary wall, during the Rath Yatra festival.
