Devotees Make Away With Khaja After Police Remove Street Vendor In Puri
The vendor was asked several times to remove the roadside setup as it was causing congestion on the crowded thoroughfare frequented by pilgrims and commuters: Police
PURI: An unusual scene played out on Puri’s Grand Road on Friday after devotees and passersby allegedly made away with trays of khaja left unattended following a police action against a roadside vendor.
According to eyewitnesses, the vendor had been selling khaja — a traditional sweet associated with Lord Jagannath — by occupying a portion of the busy Badadanda despite repeated warnings from traffic police to vacate the area.
Police officials said the vendor was asked several times to remove the roadside setup as it was causing congestion on the crowded thoroughfare frequented by pilgrims and commuters. When he allegedly failed to comply, police detained him and cleared the encroachment.
Soon after the vendor was taken away, people gathered around the unattended trays of khaja and allegedly started taking away the sweets. Eyewitnesses claimed the stock disappeared within minutes as members of the crowd rushed to grab the items.
Videos purportedly showing the incident later surfaced on social media, triggering debate over public behaviour in the pilgrim town known for its religious and cultural significance.
While no violence or injuries were reported, the episode raised concerns over crowd behaviour and civic discipline in crowded public spaces.
Police officials have not yet issued any formal statement regarding the incident.
