Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 12: All eight government officials who were issued show-cause notices in connection with the Shirgao Zatra stampede have officially submitted their replies, weeks after the incident that claimed six lives and left nearly 100 injured.

The stampede, which occurred in the first week of May, had sparked widespread criticism over administrative failures in managing the massive crowd that had gathered for the annual religious event.

Following a preliminary inquiry, show-cause notices were served to:

• The then North Goa District Magistrate
• North Goa Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Deputy Collector of Bicholim
• DySP of Bicholim
• Police Inspectors of Bicholim and Mopa police stations
• Panchayat Secretary of Shirgao

All officials named were on duty during the incident and have since been transferred from their original postings.

Confirming the development, chief secretary V Candavelou told reporters:

“All the officers have replied to the show-cause notices. The course of action will be followed.”

Candavelou added that the replies are currently being reviewed by him and will be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee for further evaluation and action.

A fact-finding committee report submitted earlier had pointed to collective responsibility, blaming the temple committee, district administration, local police, village panchayat, and also the undisciplined crowd behaviour—particularly that of the ‘dhonds’ (devotees known for fervent rituals).

The government is under growing pressure to ensure accountability and implement structural changes to prevent such tragedies at large-scale religious gatherings in the future.