The Bombay high court has given the state a week’s time to submit an affidavit to place on record decisions and minutes of meetings held at the governmental level for ensuring preparedness for the upcoming Devi Lairai jatra at Shirgao, Bicholim, to be held on April 21. Advocate general Devidas Pangam told the court that following last year’s stampede, where six persons lost their lives, the State is taking all precautions to ensure the jatra is without any untoward incident. The State is aware of how serious the problem is and this time has taken all precautions. He said meetings have been held and the State is in the process of taking several measures to manage the large crowds. He said the problem is that the village road is very narrow, where lakhs of persons, including Dhonds, visit. The HC asked him to file an affidavit placing on record the govtal decisions taken in this regard earlier this month had reported that a high level coordination meeting was held to review and strengthen arrangements for the event this year. had also reported key decisions that included a one way movement system, removal of encroachments and stalls from main corridors, installation of extensive CCTV camera surveillance and establishment of a joint command and control room for real time supervision. It was also decided to regulate entry through staggered time slots supported by public address systems, strengthen police deployment and create designated holding areas.
