PANAJI — At least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured after a
stampede took place during the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village of Goa.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
Preliminary reports suggest the overcrowding and lack of
proper arrangements as possible causes behind the incident.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday visited the
hospital to check on the injured persons.
According to the eyewitnesses, the situation escalated
after a part of the crowd lost control. Locals and the volunteers at the temple
rushed to pull people to safety.
The stampede took place as thousands of devotees thronged
the temple to witness and participate in the centuries-old ritual at the
temple, where barefoot 'dhonds' walk across a bed of burning embers.
The Shri Lairai Yatra is held in North Goa every year,
attracting more than 50,000 devotees.
The stampede occurred when, at one point along the route,
due to a downward slope, the crowd began moving rapidly all at once.
According to reports, the injured were shifted to nearby
hospitals.
North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal said,
"Six dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the
Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao."
The stampede took place amid Shree Devi Lairai jatra,
which commenced on Friday, with thousands of devotees flocking there.
Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed for the jatra
as the administration is on its toes. Drones were also placed for aerial
surveillance of crowd movements.
Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Sawant, his wife
Sulakshana, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and
Carlos Ferreira, visited the jatra.
The temple is known for its blend of northern and
southern architectural styles, hosts the Shirgao Jatra every May. The festival,
which features a traditional fire-walking ritual, attracts thousands of
devotees.
Villagers from nearby areas, including Maulingem,
participate in the religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Lairai
throughout the day, as mentioned on the Goa Tourism website.
As midnight nears during the Lairai Jatra, devotees
perform a spirited circular dance inside the temple, clashing sticks in rhythm
with drum beats.
