Delayed rituals among others reason behind 2006 stampede in

Holding delayed rituals and unauthorised, sudden opening of a gate as the proximate cause of the November-2006 stampede in Jagannath Temple, the P K Mohanty Commission has recommended several steps including revamping of crowd management system and strict adherence to time schedule for rituals.
"The proximate cause of the incident of stampede was found to be delayed performance of 'Niti' of the Jews and unauthorised and high handed action of a JTP (Jagannath Temple Police) in suddenly opening the Panda Dwara," the Commission said in its report tabled in the state Assembly today.
The Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice P K Mohanty, then a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court, was appointed to enquire into the incident of stampede in Jagannath Temple at Puri on November 4, 2006 causing death of four persons and injuries to several others.

The panel in its report said 'Nitis' (rituals) of the Jews on November 3, 2006 were not performed according to time schedule and 'Ratra Pahuda' was observed at around 4.10 AM on November 4 overlapping the first 'Niti' of the deities on that day. Other rituals were also observed late.
In the process, crowd of devotees increased and there was heavy rush inside 'Natya Mandap/Jagmohan' while some other devotees were waiting outside another gate - 'Panda Dwara' on its steps to enter inside, it said.
All of a sudden, a JTP without any reason, without any authority or without any orders of the competent higher authorities, opened the gate when both sides of the gate of 'Panda Dwara' were packed.

The resultant effect was push and pull of pilgrims and devotees. In course of push and pull some devotees fell down on the steps of 'Panda Dwara' and the stampede occurred, the report said.

While considering the evidence of witnesses, the Commission found that the 'Nitis' of the Lords were not performed according to the scheduled time prescribed by the Temple Managing Committee in consultation with different 'Sevayat Nijogs' and keeping in view the time schedule of the previous years.
The Commission further found that the Temple Commander and other supervising officers who were exclusively in charge of timely performance of 'Nitis' did not realise the necessity and sanctity in performance of rituals.

The daily rituals of the deities need to be performed
strictly according to schedule approved by the Temple Managing Committee in consultation with 'Sevayat Nijogs' and keeping in view the Record-of-Rights and the long standing tradition, which otherwise would avoid congestion and overcrowding leading to untoward situation, it said.
"Paramanik Darshan during 'Mangala Alati' should be restricted to the number that can be accommodated within the sanctum sanctorum," it said adding only 50 to 70 tickets should be issued, since during that period, 'Sevayats', their family members, pass-holders and Temple officials on duty are also to be accommodated in that area.

The other devotees should be allowed general "Darshan"/'Mangala Alati' from 'Natya Mandap' or 'Jagmohan' arranged systematically.
During 'Sahana Mela Darshan', the devotees should be arranged to pass in a queue inside 'Natya Mandap, Jaya Vijaya Dwara, Jaga Mohan, Kalahata Dwara' and up to 'Ratna Singhasan'.
Barricades should be placed by rope and devotees after 'Darshan' should be channelised for exit through 'Beheran Dwara', the report said.
On festive occasions, entry of devotees should be through establishing barricade near the Lions Gate and on formation of a queue. No other doors except 'Sata Jagannath Bhakta Dwara' shall be the entry point for devotees inside 'Natya Mandap', it said.

The Commission further suggested that an electronic display board may be installed at a conspicuous place near the Lions Gate showing the exact 'Niti' being performed and if 'Darshan' of the deities is available to the pilgrims.
It should also display the 'Niti' and the time when the next 'Niti' will be performed.
Electronic display boards may also be installed near temple branch office with similar information. The temple administration may put up plain display boards containing ritual schedules somewhere in a conspicuous place near Railway Station, bus stand, taxi stand and near sea beach, it said.
This will not only be of immense help to the devotees, but would also considerably ease the unnecessary pressure of crowd inside the temple, the report said.

The panel said a squad of Sahayaks may be constituted in prescribed uniform with name tags to move around inside the temple premises to help and give information to devotees.
All JTPs and temple security personnel of different ranks on duty should be in prescribed uniform with name tag on their shirts, it said.
Surveillance close circuit cameras should be installed at the four outer gates including the Lions Gate to record and watch movement of persons and the pressure of crowd, in view of the present security perception, the report said.
Close circuit cameras near entrance gates/doors to the inner temple should be installed, it said adding the temple administration should also install such cameras inside 'Natya Mandap' and 'Jaga Mohan' without focusing or covering 'Garva Gruha' and the 'Ratna Singhasana'.