Even as the authorities in Kerala began sending home the bodies of those killed in Friday's stampede near the hill-shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, the State Crime Branch set in motion an investigation into the tragedy on Sunday.
The investigation, instituted by the State government as a prelude to a proposed high level judicial inquiry, began with S. Surendran, Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Kochi, visiting the site at Pulmedu with a team of forensic experts and questioning witnesses to the stampede, which claimed 102 lives. Most of the victims were from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Survivors to be quizzed
The police team, which ruled out any foul play triggering the stampede, will take evidence from survivors who are undergoing treatment at the government medical college hospital at Kottayam and submit its report in three or four days.
Earlier in the day, A. Chandrasekhar, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), in charge of security at Sabarimala, visited the scene of accident.
The region, which witnessed one of the worst stampedes in the history of Sabarimala pilgrimage, wore a desolate look on Sunday, with provisions, crockery, utensils and other materials strewn all over. According to people still stranded in the area, which lies well inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, more than a lakh pilgrims had assembled there on the day to witness the Makaravilakku, the high point of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, which coincides with Makarasamkramam.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Saturday announced that the State would institute a judicial inquiry and that the State government would extend financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the seriously injured and Rs. 25,000 to those with minor injuries. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced an assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to the families of each victim and the governments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, an assistance of Rs. 1 lakh each to the families of the pilgrims from their States who lost their lives.
Of the 102 pilgrims killed, seven were from Kerala and the rest from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Five of the victims were children.
The State government made all arrangements to take the bodies of the victims to their homes.
Kerala is in mourning and all government programmes till Monday have been cancelled.
Keywords: Sabarimala stampede
This tragedy is similar to many other tragedies that are absolutely a result of voluntary participation by people and not a natural disaster and nor were they in the national interest. The question is why is the Government extending 'financial assistance' to the people that got affected by this mishap? Is Mr. PM giving this money from his personal earnings? It is common sense to know that Government is not a money producing agency it is money (tax) collecting agency and as known this money is collected from people as taxes. Did he take a approval from the people who paid taxes and contributed to the money? I certainly support providing for the mishaps, hospitalization services and any other services that government has to provide as a service but not in the form of 'financial assistance' they money that is of the tax payer. Let them give this money directly (not as Adarsh Society) to the people who lay their life for the country either as a defense personnel or as a civilian contributed something for the country.
This tragic event could only be attributed to the loss of governance of authorities concerned and those in power. The high amount of revenue generated from Sabarimala is common knowledge. An intelligent government and willingly co-operating temple authorities could easily make the whole area around Sabarimala easily accesible with this kind of money. These authorities have taken refuge in the age old ideal of "Kallu Mullum Kaalukku Meddhai" and never made the path to Sabarimala properly mended. At least now with the grace of Sri Ayyappan, they are requested to immediately take necessary activities to provide a man-made pathway wherever necessary which should have proper lighting in place.
So many lives lost for the sake of an organized hoax called "Makaravilakku". Kerala Government, Travencore Devaswom Board, and the Centre whose tacit approval this organized hoax has, are responsible for this tragedy. Sad to see the Chief Minister of Kerala defending all of it. Why should there be more parking-lots, toilets, lodgings, roads and light posts built in the midst of a Tiger Reserve for the sake of a hoax?
To spread the devotees throughout the year would point to having mulitple Makarajyotis for the convenience of pilgrims. This is not so difficult given that the Makarajyoti is known to be man-made!
It is heart-rending to see common people losing there life for not a very great reason. Marx rightly said that religion is the opium of masses and it seems totally true in Indian religious context.
How many more stampedes should take place before the Governments get their act right. Again in this season numerous road accidents take place where Ayappa pilgrims are involved. The government should look into this matter too and take some remedial steps.
It is so sad that so many deaths. It is also sad that Govt. is so insensitive to the lives of innocent people who come to see an important event.
Sir,
The stampede and the consequent death of pilgrims has almost become a regular feature during Makara Jothi in Sabarimala every year; the ever swelling crowds is too difficult to manage given the fact that this shrine is located in the thick of a forest where amenities like road,and electricity are almost missing.
Can the Devaswam Board demystify the Makara Jothi phenomenon by admitting openly that what they see as Makara Jothi is only a Devaswom Board arranged Jothi and that there is no 'miracle' in it.
In the interests of the gullible common man it is time that the Devaswom Board did it forthwith and thereby reducing the crowds to Sabarimala and the accidents.
Kerala govt., please don't play with people's lives like this. Seek help from Tirupathi Tirumala Board on how to crowd control.
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