Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A government-appointed fact-finding committee has assigned blame to several high-ranking officials, including former North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal and former North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte, for the tragic stampede that occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Jatra. The incident, which took place in the early hours of May 4, claimed six lives and left 74 people injured.
The panel, chaired by Revenue Secretary Sandeen Jacques, submitted its detailed report to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday. The report outlines key findings, observations, and recommendations regarding the crowd control failure at the popular religious event.
Chief Minister Sawant confirmed receiving the report and noted that a comprehensive inquiry had been undertaken. “The government will thoroughly review the findings and take appropriate action against those found responsible,” he said.
The report attributes accountability not only to former district heads but also to the Devasthan committee, the local panchayat body, panchayat secretary, and several other administrative and police officers previously posted in the Bicholim area, where the jatra is held.
Following the initial inquiry, the government had already transferred several officials, including Gitte, Kaushal, Bicholim Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi, Police Inspector Dinesh Gadekar, and Deputy Collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar.
The deadly crowd surge—possibly the first of its kind in post-Liberation Goa—occurred on the second day of the five-day festival that commenced on May 3. Among the deceased were two women and a 16-year-old boy, all of whom were considered ‘dhonds’, or special devotees of the goddess. Several of the injured remain under hospital care.
In response to the committee’s findings, the Shree Devi Lairai Devasthan Committee distanced itself from responsibility, arguing that the administrative machinery failed to make timely arrangements. Temple president Dinanath Gaonkar pointed to delays from the mamlatdar’s office in organizing the event infrastructure. “We worked tirelessly to support the jatra and cannot be held liable for this tragedy,” he asserted.
The government is expected to announce further actions based on the committee’s recommendations in the coming days.
