PANAJI
The State government constituted fact-finding committee to investigate the stampede during Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao, has sought additional time to submit its findings.
The committee, led by Commissioner-cum-Revenue Secretary IAS Sandeep Jacques, has communicated to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seeking additional two-three days to submit its report to the government, though the Committee was initially directed to submit it within 48 hours. Based on the findings, necessary action will be initiated.
Speaking to media persons, Sawant said that the report will take some time.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma, Transport Director Pravimal Abhishek (IAS) and Tikam Singh Verma are the other members of the committee.
The committee members have been visiting the temple site and held series of meetings with various representatives, as part of a probe into the tragedy which claimed six lives and injured 80 others.
The committee has recorded the statements of Collector Sneha Gitte, Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi, Deputy Collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar -- who all are transferred from the jurisdiction following the incident.
The committee also met the members of the temple committee, some dhonds and villagers.
As reported earlier, the Committee has noted that a similar incident on a minor scale was witnessed even last year; however, no injuries were reported. The incident, infact, took place at the same site, where it happened in the wee hours of Saturday.
The committee has also observed that despite the narrow road, temple committee allowed stalls on both the sides of the road and also ignored some of the precautionary measures recommended by the police.
