Temple Committee Denies Responsibility for Zatra Tragedy, Former President Refutes Misuse Allegations
In the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred during the annual Shree Lairai Devi Zatra on May 2, which resulted in six fatalities, the temple’s managing committee has denied responsibility for the incident, instead attributing the blame to local authorities.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Shree Lairai Devi Temple committee president Dinanath “Dina” Gaonkar stated that the Shirgao Village Panchayat, the Bicholim Deputy Collector, and the State Administration were accountable for the mismanagement that led to the deadly chaos.
Gaonkar further announced that, beginning next year, the committee will prohibit stalls from being set up along the main lane leading to the temple — an area that was reportedly overcrowded during the event.
