Keonjhar: High drama unfolded at Harichandanpur area in Keonjhar district on Wednesday when a 21-year-old man climbed the spire of an under-construction Jagannath temple and refused to come down until his marriage with his girlfriend was finalised. Perched atop the temple, the youth allegedly demanded that his girlfriend be brought to the spot and insisted that he would descend only after the families agreed to solemnise their marriage. He also threatened to jump if his demand was not met.The youth from Kaliaduma village was reportedly in a relationship with a young woman from neighbouring Kandabarisi village. According to sources, the couple had recently eloped but were later brought back home after an agreement between the two families.Tensions resurfaced after the woman was allegedly kept away from him and not allowed to meet him. Upset over the situation, the youth climbed the temple structure around 2 pm prompting locals to alert police. A large crowd gathered at the site as police, fire services personnel and family members tried to persuade him to come down. Despite repeated requests and assurances from family members, he refused to descend for several hours.The standoff ended around 4.30 pm when police and fire services personnel climbed up, negotiated with the youth and rescued him. IIC, Harichandanpur police station, Mitali Biswal said the youth was rescued unharmed. “He has been brought down safely and we are discussing the matter with him,” she said.
The man atop the temple
Dire services personnel bringing him down from the temple top
Crowd watch the drama
