Following the tragic stampede during the Shri Lairai Zatra festival at Shirgao, which resulted in at least six deaths and over 60 injuries, the Goa government launched an emergency response. Multiple ambulances were dispatched, and injured devotees were rushed to hospitals including Goa Medical College, North Goa District Hospital, and Asilo Hospital. Medical teams and nodal officers were also deployed to oversee treatment, and the health department remained on high alert to monitor the critically injured.
In short, several actions were taken immediately, but many questions remain unanswered. What exactly happened after the horrific stampede? And what steps has the Goa government taken so far?
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident to determine the exact cause and to identify any lapses in crowd management or safety protocols. He assured the public that the inquiry report would be made public and that any individuals found responsible for negligence or provocation would be punished. The Director General of Police indicated that rumors and a possible provocation contributed to the chaos, while initial reports also pointed to overcrowding, inadequate crowd control, and a bottleneck on a narrow, sloping stretch near the temple as contributing factors.
In response to the Shirgao stampede, the Goa government took swift administrative action by transferring five top officials to ensure a fair and impartial probe. The officials transferred with immediate effect are:
Sneha Gitte – North Goa District Collector
Akshat Kaushal – Superintendent of Police (North Goa)
Jivba Dalvi – Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bicholim)
Bhimnath Khorjuvekar – Deputy Collector (Bicholim)
Dinesh D. Gadekar – Police Inspector (Bicholim)
These transfers were announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who emphasised that the step was necessary to facilitate an unbiased investigation into the incident.
The Goa government has announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims of the Shirgao stampede. Each family of the deceased will receive ₹10 lakh, while those who suffered serious injuries will be given ₹1 lakh each. This financial assistance was confirmed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who stated that the aid is already being provided to the affected families and individuals. However, some opposition leaders have demanded that the compensation be increased.
There has been no official announcement of any additional or higher ex-gratia beyond these amounts. Some opposition leaders have called for the compensation to be raised.
Also Read: Shirgao stampede: How the Lairai Devi festival spiralled into disaster