Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Eight government officials, who were issued show-cause notices after the Shirgao Zatra stampede, have submitted their explanations to the authorities.
The stampede, which occurred in early May, claimed six lives and left nearly 100 people injured. Following an initial probe, show-cause notices were served to several officials present during the incident, including the former North Goa District Magistrate, North Goa Superintendent of Police, Deputy Collector of Bicholim, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Bicholim, police inspectors from Bicholim and Mopa police stations, as well as the Panchayat Secretary of Shirgao. These officers have since been transferred to other postings.
Chief Secretary V. Candavelou informed that all eight officials have replied to the notices, and their submissions will be scrutinized before being presented to the Disciplinary Committee for further proceedings. “The next steps will be taken accordingly,” he said.
A fact-finding committee had previously assigned joint responsibility for the tragedy to the temple committee, district administration, police, village panchayat, and the conduct of the crowd, particularly the ‘dhonds’ who led the procession.
