Goa stampede: Fact-finding committee begins probe into incident; Governor meets victims' kin
Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday (May 4, 2025) visited the families of those who died in a stampede in north Goa's Shirgao village in Bicholim taluk, where tens of thousands of devotees had thronged to participate in the annual 'Lairai Jatra' at the Shree Lairai Devi temple.
The Governor met the families of Sagar Shivkumar Nandadurgi (31) from Pilgaon in Bicholim, and Surya Pandurang Nayekar (62) from Khalapwada, Podocem, Sattari tehsil.
#WATCH | Shirgaon Jatra stampede | Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai says, "...6 people lost their lives and 80 people were injured. For the first time in the history of Goa, such a type of stampede has happened. PM Modi and all others are shocked. We conveyed the condolences of… pic.twitter.com/9pn3SplQVN — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025
The four others who died in the tragic incident were Yeshwant Prabhakar Kerkar (33) from Madel, Thivim; Aditya Ankush Kauthankar (16) and Tanuja Shyamsundar Kauthankar (51), both from Avchit Wado, Thivim; and Pratibha Laxman Kalangutkar (54) from Tilu Kankonkar, Mangado, Corlim.
'This incident is beyond human expectation. State and Central governments are trying their best to help the victims. The State government has already announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the kin of those who died, and if something more is required, it will be done,' the Governor told media persons.
Also read: Goa stampede: Minor incident happened at same site during last year's fest, says official
Nandadurgi's 60-year-old mother, Sonia Nandadurgi, has not eaten since she heard of the death of her son. 'My only son, why did this happen to him?' she cried, seeing the Governor at her home, along with police officials and medical staff.
'Sagar lost his father when he was a child and since then, my sister has been living here. Only two years ago, he got a job in a bank's loan recovery department. Last year, he plastered the house. He has been a dhond (devotees of the deity, Laira Devi, who perform austerities before the yatra) for the last two years. He left home at 5.30 p.m. in a bus that goes to the temple, along with six of his friends. When the other dhonds pushed from behind, he fell on the road. Over 25 people fell on him and walked over him. He couldn't survive. Since he was the only working person in the family, there is no financial support for my sister anymore. We have read in the newspapers that the government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of those who died but when the officials visited us, they did not mention anything about it,' Sagar's maternal uncle, Sainath Kavlekar (45), who lives next door, said.
The Goa Government has formed a fact-finding committee headed by Commissioner-cum-Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques, who is expected to submit a report in a couple of days. A police official said that the committee is currently recording the statements of senior officials in-charge of crowd management to understand what went wrong. The committee learnt that a similar incident occurred last year, but did not result in fatalities or injuries.
'The slope is a narrow road and with stalls on both sides, and the area becomes even narrower. The committee is investigating why, despite being aware of the situation, precautions were not taken. Why did the temple committee allow stalls to be put up on both sides of the road leading to the temple. We are also examining whether a fight had broken between two groups of dhonds or a stick touched the bulb of a shop on the road, causing a short circuit, and some fell down and died on the spot,' the official said.
'Why is the temple committee being blamed for an incident that happened at least a kilometre away from the temple premises? It was an unfortunate accident that happened which no one could imagine would ever occur. We are being questioned on preparedness. It is unfair,' Dinanath Gaonkar, president of the Shree Lairai Devi Temple Committee said.
Opinion: The science is clear, crowd disasters are preventable
On Sunday (May 4, 2025), the Congress MP from south Goa, Viriato Fernandes, was criticised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his felicitation, with a shawl and flowers, by the temple committee. BJP spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar called it 'a shameful act', especially when the State was mourning the tragic loss of lives.
Goa is observing a three-day period of mourning, from May 3 to May 5, over the tragic loss of lives. 'No government event will take place till Monday (May 5, 2025),' the official said.
On Saturday (May 3, 2025) night, the Governor visited the injured persons admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
IIM Raipur hosts Chintan Shivir 2.0, Chhattisgarh CM attend event
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 9 (ANI): Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur hosted Chintan Shivir 2.0 on Monday in collaboration with the government of Chhattisgarh. In the 2-day residential program, the cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai engaged on this dynamic platform for introspection, strategic dialogue, and policy innovation, aimed at accelerating the state's inclusive and sustainable development, according to the release. The people who attended the event, including the Chhattisgarh CM, engaged in an intensive and collaborative dialogue on critical governance challenges, reform priorities, and strategic development roadmaps. In his address, CM Sai stated 'Chintan Shivir 2.0, conducted through the collaboration of IIM Raipur and the Chhattisgarh Department of Good Governance, was a successful initiative where cabinet members were introduced to relevant topics that will help in running the government more efficiently. The topics chosen and the speakers were remarkable, and their teachings will greatly support us in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.' Meanwhile, Ram Kumar Kakani, IIM Raipur's director said, 'We are honored to facilitate this exchange of ideas among policymakers and thought leaders. Chintan Shivir 2.0 is a reflection of our belief that academic institutions must go beyond classrooms and actively engage in real-world governance and leadership challenges. This platform not only fosters collaborative thinking between policymakers and scholars but also aligns with our larger mission of creating evidence-based, inclusive, and future-ready public systems. We are proud to support the Government of Chhattisgarh in its journey towards sustainable, citizen-centric governance and the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.' During the IIM Raipur retreat, Chhattisgarh state ministers stressed the need for a culture-sensitive development model combining local traditions to ensure sustainable prosperity in post-Naxal Chhattisgarh, including with fiscal discipline to cut compulsory expenditure, raise capital outlays, and aim for 12 per cent annual growth is needed to realize the vision of a developed state and India by 2047. The ministers stressed that leaders must prioritise long-term societal outcomes over short-term gains, demonstrating transformational leadership through personal accountability and ethical governance rooted in cultural values. In the state, fostering cultural unity was highlighted as essential for national integration and building social capital. Multiple academicians and experts from premier institutions including Ravindra H Dholakia, Professor Emeritus at IIM Ahmedabad; Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore; Uday Mahurkar, former Central Information Commissioner and senior journalist; and Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Rajya Sabha MP and President of ICCR, graced the events and had insightful discussions. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, a leading health policy expert and advisor to the government, and Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, also contributed their subject matter perspectives. The program included sessions on 'Seva, Sankalp, aur Seekh' (Service, Resolve, and Learning), and concluded with the inauguration of the 'Sushasan Vatika' (Good Governance Garden) via a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
IAS officer caught accepting bribe of Rs 10 lakh in Odisha
Kalahandi (Odisha) [India], June 9 (ANI): Dhiman Chakma, Sub-Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, was caught red-handed on Monday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman, according to the Odisha Vigilance Department. During further searches at his residence, an additional Rs 47 lakh in cash was recovered and Investigations are ongoing, a release said. Chakma, the 2021-batch IAS officer, had allegedly demanded a total of Rs 20 lakh as a bribe, threatening to take action against the businessman's enterprise if the payment was not made, the Odisha Vigilance said in a release. Chakma called the complainant to his official residence in Dharamgarh, where he accepted Rs. 10 lakh as the first instalment, it said. The IAS officer was caught 'red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a local businessman,' the department said in the release. The accused Sub Collector called the complainant to his official government residence at Dharamgarh, received the bribe amount, verified the 26 number of 100-note bundles of different denominations with both his hands, and kept the same inside his residence office table drawer. Both hand wash and table drawer wash gave a positive chemical reaction, the release said. A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). More details are awaited as the probe continues. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul, commences academic session in Dabhoi
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed Swaminarayan Gurukul in Dabhoi, Vadodara district, and formally commenced the academic session. The event was graced by the presence of saints, spiritual leaders, and distinguished dignitaries, according to the release. He said that 'In the Indian education system along with knowledge, values are also essential.' He further explained that in the ancient Gurukul tradition, princes received education and initiation from revered sages. Lord Rama was educated by sages Vashishta and Vishwamitra, while Lord Shri Krishna acquired knowledge from Rishi Sandipani. This very Gurukul tradition is now being revitalised through modern methods, thereby honouring and preserving our ancient heritage. The Chief Minister stated that institutions like these are, in contemporary times, blending the Gurukul tradition with modern advancements to offer students not only academic knowledge but also value-based and culturally grounded training essential for holistic development. The establishment of a modern hostel alongside a technologically equipped school campus marks the beginning of a new era in education. He expressed firm belief that this Gurukul by the Swaminarayan institution will nurture a generation poised for a bright future founded on patriotism, values, and spirituality. He mentioned that under the New Education Policy, which advances the legacy of ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, the Prime Minister has established sector-specific universities. For the first time, an education system rooted in Indian tradition and based on the mother tongue has been implemented. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, the state government is bringing quality improvements in schools through the Gunotsav campaign. CM Patel emphasised that special attention has been given to the education of girls through initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav. Chief Minister stated that through the Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Yojana, students are being encouraged to opt for science streams. 'Within just one year, there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of students enrolling in the science stream. Through Mission School of Excellence and Vidya Samiksha Kendra, both standards and quality of education have progressed,' he said. The Prime Minister has resolved to establish India not just as a developing nation but as Viksit Bharat by 2047. Chief Minister urged that to realize this resolution, we must all contribute to shaping an 'Amrit Generation' that is educated, value-oriented, and determined. The CM mentioned that institutions like Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul play a vital role in supporting environmental initiatives led by the Prime Minister, including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Catch the Rain, and No Usage of Single Use Plastic. Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who displayed exceptional valour in protecting Bharat Mata for the unforgettable success of Operation Sindoor, the Chief Minister said that this operation has given a new direction to India's fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister has set such an example of national defence that it will inspire future generations to serve the nation. MLA Shailesh Mehta stated that, considering the cultural ethos of Darbhavati Nagari, the establishment of a Gurukul imparting value-based education had become a vital necessity. Under the leadership of the institution's directors--K P Swami, Nautam Swami, and Bapu Swami--this Gurukul has not merely been inaugurated today, but has marked the beginning of a new chapter in shaping the future of Darbhavati Nagari. 'The Chief Minister has shown special affection for Darbhavati by providing unique grants and developmental schemes, and therefore, I proudly say today that the Chief Minister's contribution to Darbhavati's development is invaluable. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for that,' Mehta said. Jitubhai Vaghani, MLA Bhavnagar, stated that generally, when any educational institution is managed by commercial entities, it often operates with a profit-oriented approach. However, when such institutions are managed by saints, they are guided by a spirit of service and are enriched with cultural and moral values -- a truth that society has experienced firsthand. Swaminarayan Gurukul is not just an educational institution; it is an abode of values. Such institutions, equipped with modern technology and rooted in values, contribute not only to teaching but also to showing students how to live. The real success of a Gurukul is when students feel drawn to attend, to study, and are shaped with Indianness, ethics, and patriotism alongside their education, the release said. Nautam Swami presented an outline of Swaminarayan Gurukul's activities. (ANI)
