Bhubaneswar, July 28: The controversy relating to the attack on the Puri district collector by a group of servitors on the niladri bije day, the return of divine trinity to the temple, refuses to die down.

There is palpable tension in the pilgrim town with the arrest of 12 servitors. Police have declared eight as "absconders", and non-bailable warrants have been issued against six. The police are likely to register more cases against the servitors.

Former MLA Uma Ballava Rath today cautioned the district administration saying that coercive action against the servitors by the police might boomerang.

Rath said: "It was the superintendent of police's (SP) statement that 'servitors' family members may climb up on the chariots'. How the SP made that statement should be inquired into."

"The police even declared the servitors absconders and pasted posters as if they are criminals. They should refrain from taking such steps," he added.

Rath demanded immediate suspension of the Puri SP and the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple

He alleged that on snana purnima day, a number of VIPs had touched the deities. "But no action was taken against them," he said.

Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi, however, said lawful action was being taken. "We are not taking action against any innocent person. But, action will be taken against those who took law into their hands."

In a related development, the state government today issued a gazette notification on the appointment of a one-man commission to suggest reforms to the Puri temple administration.

Justice B.P. Das, who is heading the commission, today said: "I will deal extensively with how to bring reforms in the temple's affairs. No one can threaten the devotees. We have to maintain discipline in the temple."