8 detained for flying drone over Puri temple

The Asian Age.  | Akshaya Kumar Sahoo

Metros, Kolkata

It may be recalled here that a quadcopter was seen hovering repeatedly over the 12th century shrine in June, 2016.

(Representational image)

Bhubaneswar: At least eight persons from Bengal were reportedly detained by the Singhadwara police in Odisha’s pilgrim city Puri on Friday for allegedly making a drone camera fly over the Sri Jagannath Temple.

The detainees were identified as tourists hailing from West Bengal.

They were operating the drone camera from the roof of nearby Emara Matha for shooting a short film. The camera was seized by the police.

It may be recalled here that a quadcopter was seen hovering repeatedly over the 12th century shrine in June, 2016. This apart, a quadcopter had hovered over the temple in 2014 and managed to capture aerial videos and photos of the shrine. The videos and photos were later uploaded on YouTube and Facebook and did rounds on social media. Following the incident, the Puri district administration was asked to ensure 24×7 patrolling at four towers around the temple. The administration has banned flying of any electronic object over the shrine.

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