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Bhubaneswar: The state govt on Saturday ordered the Puri district administration to conduct an inquiry into the switching off and removal of focus lights from the Jagannath Temple and ensure their reinstallation. A Delhi-based company , which installed lights in the 12th century shrine, withdrew its services from June 5 without informing the authorities. This decision led to resentment among servitors and devotees as the shrine plunged into darkness.

After ordering an inquiry, chief secretary P K Jena visited the temple on Saturday and took stock of the situation. “I have instructed collector, Puri to cause an inquiry into this matter and take appropriate action against persons involved. Further efforts to be made to restore lights at the earliest pending permanent solution to the problem if any at govt level,” Jena said in a post on ‘X’.



A police case was registered against the event management company while police have detained four persons in this connection, sources said. Local residents and devotees alleged the focus lights installed for beautification of the Jagannath Temple were removed in a hurry soon after the results of the elections were declared. The lights were installed during the inauguration of the Shree Mandira Parikrama project on Jan 17.

State BJP president Manmohan Samal said, “I have spoke to the chief secretary. He informed that steps will be taken to restore the lights.” Puri collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said, “We have started an inqu.

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