Bhubaneswar, Oct. 21: Stalemate at the Bhagabati temple in Banpur over animal sacrifice continues despite a series of efforts by the administration to resolve the deadlock. The rituals have been stopped in the temple for more than a week as the administration clamped a ban on animal sacirifice following the orders of high court.

“Local residents supporting animal sacrifice and priests have not agreed to open the temple door and resume the rituals despite my request,” said law minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, who had held a meeting at the temple to resolve the deadlock on Wednesday.

“I have also received some allegations about misbehaviour meted out to the temple priests and locals during enforcement of ban on animal sacrifice during Durga Puja. I have asked the revenue divisional commissioner (central division) to inquire into the allegations. Action will be taken against any official found guilty in the probe”, said the minister.

The local people said that policemen had entered inside the temple while wearing shoes. Policemen had also manhandled the priests who had resisted the attempts by the police to take over the place. A meeting was held today among the local MLA, Raghunath Sahu, the temple priests and those supporting animal sacrifice.

“However, the deadlock still continues,” said Khurda SP Pratap Mohanty.

The temple priests and members of Maa Bhagabato Parampara Suraksha Manchhave been firm on their demand for suspension or transfer of these police officials who had entered into the temple putting on shoes and thereby desecrating the temple premises. The priests and Manch members had locked up the temple and stopped Mahastami puja as they were not allowed the go for animal sacrifice. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC had been clamped in and around the temple in view of the prevailing tension.

The practice of animal sacrifice had been in vogue in the temple during Durga Puja. However, a few social organisations have been opposing the practice since last five years. Acting upon the petition, the high court has directed the Khurda district administration to stop the animal sacrifice. On the other hand, the locals have formed an organisation named Maa Bhagabati Prampara Suraksha Manch to support the continuance of the practice.