Large number of devotees converge for Kaulotsav
Shirgao/Panaji: It won’t be wrong to say that the Shirgao tragedy was one that was waiting to happen: A narrow slope with a rush of devotees and stalls along the road, no CCTV cameras, and no protocol in place – was like a perfect recipe for disaster.
This is the kind of information and inputs that is being given to the members of the government-appointed fact-finding committee probing the tragic stampede during Shree Devi Lairai jatra at Shirgao.
The probe panel was formed following the stampede in the early hours of May 3 during the annual jatra, which claimed six lives and left over 70 injured.
Rituals have continued and a large number of devotees converged for the Kaulotsav on Sunday at Shirgao. It is expected that devotees will pour in on Monday as well. The temple committee has appealed to the faithful to abide by the arrangements made by the administration.
The fact finding committee is headed by Revenue Secretary Sandip Jacques IAS and includes deputy-inspector general Varsha Sharma, transport director Pravimal Abhishek, and superintendent of police Tikam Singh Verma. The panel began its inquiry by visiting the site.
It has been meeting people to understand and find out what triggered the stampede. Though 48 hours were given to the committee to submit the report, there is no clarity on what led to the stampede. Understanding their situation, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the team probing the causes of the stampede needs time to study, adding that the panel will submit the report in a few days. He also said that special steps will be taken for the smooth conduct of the fair in future.
Sources said that the two senior police officers on the committee themselves appeared surprised that there were no CCTV cameras on the site when, as per the norm, the police department always insists on such a system for any kind of an event where a huge crowd is expected.
A person who spoke to the committee members said that the panel was surprised to know that there was no foolproof system in place and what was followed in the past was being continued despite the fact that the devotees’ number had swelled multiple times over the last few years. Collector’s preliminary report had also indicated lapses.
According to sources, the committee is questioning why no crowd control measures were taken at the narrow lanes leading to the temple, which saw thousands of devotees gather for the popular festival.
The team has recorded statements of families of the deceased, members of the temple’s managing committee, and police and district officials involved in crowd management.
Sources revealed that the stampede occurred on a slope known to be prone to such accidents.
The panel has gathered that a similar incident, but on a smaller scale, had happened during the temple festival last year at the same spot. This point was raised by a dhond.
The committee is working to determine the exact cause of the incident and whether a fight between two groups of pilgrims, seen in a viral video, may have triggered the chaos.
The panel recorded statements of key personnel, including the transferred officials North Goa collector Sneha Gitte, superintendent of police Akshat Kaushal, deputy SP Jivba Dalvi, deputy collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, and temple committee members.
Eyewitness accounts, official testimonies, and differing perspectives are being compiled to prepare a comprehensive and factual report. The panel also plans to interview the injured devotees once they have recovered sufficiently at home.
Another point under scrutiny is the decision to permit stalls along the narrow pathways to the temple, which may have worsened the congestion and contributed to the disaster.
The committee’s final report is expected to address these concerns and recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Temple to shut for devotees on May 6
Sankhali: The Devasthan committee has submitted a memorandum to authorities requesting the closure of Shirgao temple to devotees on May 6, the final day of the Kaulotsav.
