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Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa stampede: Police directives on CCTV cameras, barricades not implemented ahead of temple fest
A tragic stampede at the Shree Lairai Temple festival in Goa, claiming six lives, has sparked controversy. Despite police directives to install CCTV cameras and barricading for crowd control, the temple committee failed to implement these measures. The committee cited insufficient time for CCTV installation and past injuries due to barricades as reasons for non-compliance. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in India The committee managing the Shree Lairai Temple failed to implement the Goa police 's directives to install CCTV cameras for the annual festival, during which six people lost their lives in a stampede, an official said on Monday. The official, quoting the minutes of a meeting held days before the tragedy, said the temple committee was also requested to make necessary arrangements for queues with proper barricading wherever temple authorities, however, said there wasn't enough time to install the CCTV cameras, as the meeting was held just a couple of days before the people were killed, and more than 70 sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during an annual festival at Shree Lairai Temple at Shirgao village of North Goa in the wee hours of police, district administration and Shree Lairai Temple committee held a meeting on April 30 ahead of the festival, during which the temple authorities were asked to install CCTV cameras at the entry and exit points and place "proper barricading wherever possible".The meeting was attended by then Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal, then Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bicholim) Jivba Dalvi, Deputy Collector (Bicholim) Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, Temple committee president Dinanath Gaonkar and minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is with PTI, state, "The temple committee is asked to install CCTVs at all the entry and exit points, crowded areas, near temple and Homkhand, along with CCTV control room for which police staff also would be provided."As per the minutes, the temple committee was also requested to make necessary arrangements for queues with proper barricading wherever required and asked to assist the police in crowd control and management during the contacted, temple committee president Dinanath Gaonkar said they didn't have enough time to install the CCTV cameras."You require at least 10 to 15 days to install these cameras. The meeting was held only a couple of days before the festival," he said the barricading was not done as devotees had suffered injuries because of it in the temple committee said they have deposed before the fact-finding committee probing into the stampede and provided all the details.
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Indian Express
Before Goa stampede that killed 6, police suggestion on CCTVs, barricades fell on deaf ears
Days before six people were killed in Saturday's stampede during the annual Jatra at the Lairai Devi temple in Goa, police had issued instructions to the temple committee to install CCTV cameras at entry and exit points, make arrangements for queueing with proper barricading, and set up a public address system to avoid any untoward incident, The Indian Express has learnt. The committee said the CCTV cameras were not installed because there wasn't enough time, and that the barricades were not set up because on a previous occasion when they were in place, they had caused injuries to devotees. The instructions were issued during a meeting on April 30 attended by senior police and district administration officials. Those who attended the meeting included North SP Akshat Kaushal, Bicholim SDPO Jivba Dalvi, Bicholim police station inspector Dinesh D Gadekar, Bicholim Deputy Collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, Bicholim Mamlatdar Abhijeet Gaonkar, and Shree Lairai Devasthan president Shirgao Dinanath Gaonkar, as well as other members of the temple committee. According to the minutes of the meeting, police issued instructions to the temple committee members 'to tackle any eventuality and contingency'. The minutes said, 'Instructions were issued to the temple committee to install PA (public address) system near Lairai temple premises and homkhund (fire pit that is circled by devotees). The temple committee is also asked to install CCTV at all the entry and exit points, crowded areas, near the temple and homkhund, along with CCTV control room wherein adequate police staff would also be provided.' 'The temple committee is also requested to make necessary arrangements with regard to the maintenance of queue with proper barricading wherever required. The committee is also requested to assist police in crowd control and management during the festivity,' the minutes read. In another joint meeting on April 16, concerns were raised about crowd control at the temple site of Mahamaya temple, homkhund and the road approaching the temple. Temple committee president Dinanath Gaonkar said a meeting was held on April 16 in which discussions were held with various stakeholders and duties were assigned. 'Another meeting was scheduled for April 25, but it was postponed. On April 30, senior police officers came and gave (these) instructions. They said stringent action will be taken if instructions are not complied with. It takes at least 15-20 days to set up CCTVs. In two days, what can we do? Regarding the barricading (near the temple), we refused because on a previous occasion, when we had put barricades during the Jatra, some devotees had suffered injuries,' he said. Gaonkar said all the requisite precautions had been taken by the temple committee. 'There is no mistake on our part in this regard. We have given our statement to the fact-finding committee and it is for the committee to come to a conclusion on what led to the mishap,' he said. The Goa government on Saturday constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to investigate the incident. The government also transferred North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte, SP Akshat Kaushal, Deputy SP Jivba Dalvi, Deputy Collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, and Police Inspector Dinesh Gadekar. The stampede occurred between 2.45 am and 3 am, when a big crowd of devotees made their way through a steep and narrow stretch of road towards the temple. 'As the Dhonds (the devotees taking part in the Jatra) formed multiple queues, there was a lot of pushing and shoving in the crowd. One woman tripped, and due to the topography of the narrow road, several others fell, which may have led to the stampede. The fact-finding committee is recording statements of all the victims and officials and will soon submit a report,' a government official said. Eyewitnesses on Saturday said the stampede was caused by a scuffle among the unregulated crowd on the narrow stretch leading to the temple. The Jatra, held in honour of Goddess Lairai Devi, is attended by thousands of devotees called Dhonds. They come from across Goa and neighbouring states. In a fire-walking ritual at the Jatra, the Dhonds circle a fire pit and walk barefoot across burning embers — a spectacle that draws many spectators.
India Gazette
03-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Trying to determine exact cause of incident": North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal on Shirgao stampede
ANI 03 May 2025, 14:10 GMT+10 Panaji (Goa) [India], May 3 (ANI): Police on Saturday said that they are still trying to determine the exact cause of the stampede incident at the Shirgao during the Larai Jatra festival. North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshat Kaushal informed that over 50,000 people were present inside the temple for the (Larai) Zatra, and around 400 police officers were on duty. And, he further added that this is the first time such an incident has happened at the festival. Speaking to ANI, North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal said, 'We are still trying to determine the exact cause of the incident. However, we have been told that the stampede might have happened due to some people spreading rumours... The biggest challenge for us was to peacefully vacate more than 50,000 people who were inside the temple for the (Larai) Zatra. Around 400 police personnel were deployed here for the Zatra. This is the first time something like this has happened on this occasion.' Earlier in the day, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited Shirgao, where the stampede incident occurred. The stampede incident took place on Saturday at around 4-5 AM. Sawant said that this is the first such incident in Goa, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called to enquire about the situation. Speaking to ANI, Pramod Sawant said, 'The unfortunate stampede incident took place today at around 4-5 AM. This is the first time a stampede incident has taken place in Goa. I have reached the spot right now. I met the injured at different hospitals. Six people died in the incident. I have asked the State administration to conduct an inquiry into the incident... PM Modi called me and enquired about the incident...' President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the tragic incident of the stampede in Shirgao, Goa. (ANI)
India Gazette
03-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
At least 6 dead, over 15 injured in stampede at temple in Goa
ANI 03 May 2025, 09:03 GMT+10 Bicholim (Goa) [India], May 3 (ANI): At least six people died and over 15 were injured in a stampede at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgaon, police said on Saturday. According to North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshat Kaushal, 6 dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao, Goa. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed sadness over the tragedy and said that he is personally monitoring the situation. Sawant also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him and took detailed stock of the situation. 'Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time,' the Chief Minister posted on X. Further details on the incident are still awaited. (ANI)
Mint
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Goa stampede: ‘Some people spreading rumours…,' here's what North Goa SP said about accident
At least six people lost their lives and 55 others were injured in a stampede at a temple in Goa, where hundreds of Hindu devotees had gathered, a police official reported on Saturday. The stampede occurred on Friday night during the annual Lairai Devi Jatra at the Shirgao temple in Goa's Shirgao village, a festival renowned for its traditional fire-walking rituals. The tragic incident led to six fatalities and left more than 50 people injured. Speaking on the Shirgao stampede, North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal said that the police are still trying to determine the exact cause of the incident. The biggest challenge for us was to peacefully vacate more than 50,000 people. He told ANI, 'However, we have been told that the stampede might have happened due to some people spreading rumours... The biggest challenge for us was to peacefully vacate more than 50,000 people who were inside the temple for the (Larai) Zatra. Around 400 police personnel were deployed here for the Zatra. This is the first time something like this has happened on this occasion.' Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced an inquiry into the Sree Lairai Devi Temple stampede, PTI reported. Sawant also visited the Goa Medical College (GMC), where some injured persons in the Shirgao stampede are being treated. Speaking about the incident, Pramod Sawant said, "Six people died in the stampede, and over 50 people have been injured. After getting the information, I went to the spot. The injured are being treated in the than 50,000 people participate in the Jatra every year. This is an unfortunate incident. PM Modi called me and enquired about the incident. He also assured to provide assistance from the Centre. (This is a developing story) Key Takeaways Crowd management is crucial during large events to prevent tragedies. Misinformation can exacerbate panic and chaos in emergency situations. Adequate police presence and planning are vital for ensuring public safety.
