Staff Reporter
Panaji
The fact-finding committee headed by Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques, IAS, has held several
senior officials of the
North Goa district administration responsible for the tragic stampede that occurred during the annual jatra of Shree Devi Lairai
at Shirgao in the early hours
of May 3.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the committee has attributed responsibility to the then North Goa Collector Sneha Gite, IAS, former North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal, IPS, former Bicholim Deputy Collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, then Bicholim DySP Jivba Dalvi, former Bicholim Police Inspector Dinesh Gadekar, the Shree Devi Lairai temple committee, the local village panchayat, and others.
The 100-page report, compiled by the four-member panel, includes detailed observations on the causes and circumstances of
the stampede, along with conclusions and recommendations to prevent
such tragedies at large religious or public gatherings in the future.
Earlier, Sawant had assured that the report would be made public upon submission. However, the government is yet to issue a detailed statement on the findings or the actions that will be taken against those held responsible.
The stampede claimed the lives of six people, including traditional devotees known as dhonds, and left over 70 others injured.
