Puri stampede: Eyewitnesses report no government machinery present to manage surging crowds, says Naveen Patnaik

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the Puri stampede, conveying condolences to the victims' families. He criticized the absence of government personnel to manage crowds, pointing out a lapse in duty. Patnaik highlighted the administration's failure in crowd management during the Rath Yatra, holding them accountable for the tragedy and urging immediate corrective actions for upcoming rituals.