By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 23, 2019: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced a ₹500-crore special package for rehabilitation of the affected and developing the temple town into a world heritage site amid protests over the governments eviction drive near Puri Shri Jagannath Temple.

The Chief Minister urged people to cooperate and make sacrifices for the upkeep and security of the 12th century shrine as security has to be tightened in view of terrorist threats to religious institutions across the globe.

“Terrorism poses a big challenge to the world. Terrorists have no religion. They are targeting different religious institutions. Therefore, it is essential to take measures to secure the temple,” he said after chairing a high-level meeting here.

The Odisha government has been evicting people and demolish all structures within a 75-metre radius of the temple’s boundary wall.

“It is a fact that some people will be affected by this eviction drive. However, I appeal to them to cooperate and come forward to make sacrifices for the security of the temple,” a statement said quoting Patnaik.

Last week, protests were held against the eviction drive. People said that the government should have arranged for a public hearing before taking any decision. The ₹500-crore special package will cover expenses of rehabilitation, development of multi-lane roads, bridges, parking lots and revival of rivers and lakes in the town, the official statement said.