Opposition slams govt after Shirgao stampede

Margao: Opposition leaders across party lines launched a scathing attack on state govt on Saturday, holding it responsible for the stampede at the Shree Lairai Devi Jatra in Shirgao that claimed six lives and left several injured. The incident sparked intense criticism of the administration’s alleged failure in managing the religious gathering. The opposition has also demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede.
State Congress president Amit Patkar, who visited the site, termed the tragedy “entirely preventable”. After meeting temple committee members and govt officials, Patkar said, “Lack of crowd control, power failures and zero public safety measures point to a complete collapse of administration. BJP govt cannot escape responsibility.”
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge accused state govt of evading responsibility. “Govt’s failure to provide basic facilities and maintain law and order led to this catastrophe,” he said.
Leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao expressed deep sorrow over the incident while extending support to the bereaved families.
GFP president Vijai Sardesai questioned the effectiveness of the security arrangements, pointing to the govt’s earlier claims of deploying 1,000 police personnel and drone surveillance. “Now that this incident occurred, where were those 1,000 police personnel?” Sardesai said. He said a compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given to each victim’s family.
Sardesai blamed the incident on “complete administrative collapse” at the jatra, terming it “a failure of law and order and health and emergency response”.
AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal also expressed grief over the tragedy. He said his “thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones”.