Team Goemkarponn
SHIRGAO: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed shock and sadness over the tragic loss of life following the stampede at the Lairai Jatra in Shirgao. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of several devotees and injuries to many others, has raised serious concerns about the government’s handling of crowd control and emergency response during the event.
State President Adv. Amit Palekar, along with other AAP leaders, visited the victims’ families and offered their condolences. “We pray for the strength of the bereaved families, and we stand with them in this moment of grief,” said Palekar. The party also called for immediate compensation for the victims, demanding Rs. 1 crore in interim relief for the families of the deceased and Rs. 10 lakh for those injured.
Criticizing the authorities’ preparedness, Palekar pointed to eyewitness accounts that highlighted a complete breakdown in crowd management. “Despite the BJP government’s claims that over 1,000 personnel would be deployed and drones would be used for crowd control, it is evident that no proper plan was in place. There was a lack of infrastructure, no systems to manage the crowd, and no provisions to respond in case of emergencies,” Palekar said.
Rajesh Kalangutkar, an AAP leader from Mayem, who tragically lost two relatives in the stampede, shared his concerns about the response to the injured. “Many people suffered grievous injuries, including multiple fractures, but most did not receive first aid. They were instead rushed to hospitals in private vehicles,” Kalangutkar stated.
He also criticized the government for failing to learn from the lessons of the recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which saw a similar breakdown in crowd management. “Instead of focusing on media management, the Pramod Sawant-led government should have prioritized disaster management and proper crowd control,” Kalangutkar added.
The AAP has demanded a full investigation into the incident and called for accountability at the highest levels, including the district administration and the Home Ministry. Palekar and other party leaders, who visited the injured at the Goa Medical College (GMC), emphasized that the state’s response to the tragedy must be thoroughly examined.
The AAP’s strong stance comes amid growing concerns over the state government’s preparedness for large-scale events and its ability to prevent such preventable tragedies.
