Puri (Odisha): Security has been tightened at and around the Jagannath Temple in Puri after a bomb threat was received through a social media post, officials said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha member Subhasish Khuntia has also received a death threat on social media, warning that he would be shot dead if he did not pay Rs 10 lakh and resign from his post. Police have intensified investigations in both cases.
A special team has been formed under the leadership of the Puri City DSP, and an investigation is underway. The URL link of the social media account from which the threatening post originated is being investigated.
However, Puri SP Prateek Singh said that the entire matter would be clarified by this evening. In the meantime, security at the temple has been increased after the threat of a bomb attack was received on social media. The bomb disposal squad is searching inside and outside the temple.
The temple’s special security force and special commandos are handling the temple’s security. Security has also been increased at several important locations in Puri city. The SP said that steps have been taken to increase the security of the MP after the threat to shoot him was received on social media.
It may be recalled that a similar threatening post was made on Facebook yesterday from an account named Julie Rani Panda. Puri police are investigating the matter, and demands have been made for strict action against the culprits.
Uproar over threat to shoot MP – The incident of a threatening post on Facebook against Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia has created a stir. The threatening post was made from a Facebook ID named ‘Julie Rani Panda’, which is being investigated by the police.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Khuntia said regarding the incident, “A man sent me a message on my mobile two days ago demanding Rs 10 lakh and asking me to resign from my post as a Rajya Sabha MP. I ignored it, thinking it was a fake message.” Yesterday, I received death threats and threats of being shot on social media. This is a serious incident. MP Khuntia has informed the police about this and has requested the Puri SP to increase security for his family. He has also demanded increased security measures in Puri, a tourist destination with temples and various market complexes, and at other tourist spots.
Who is “Julie Rani Panda” and why did she post this? There are demands for an investigation into who owns this account or if it is a fake account, and for swift action to be taken. It is worth noting that intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that temples are targets for terrorists.
