CM: Have ensured not even a minor incident occurs at this year’s jatra

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant visited the goddess Lairai temple at Shirgao on Tuesday, reviewed the arrangements, and offered prayers. He said an action plan is in place and that the administration has been working for two months now to ensure that not even a minor incident takes place this year.

“Our entire administration has prepared an action plan and a disaster management plan. Various departments have been working — from the collector to the police to health services to the public works department and others. Local MLA Premendra Shet has also been minutely monitoring the arrangements. In the entire precinct, no incident last like year, even of a minor nature, will take place. We have made sure of that,” said Sawant.

He said devotees also need to cooperate to ensure there is no crowding.

Thousands throng the Lairai jatra each year from across Goa as well as the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

“Devotees should not create situations at any place where there is overcrowding. They should, in turn, voluntarily act to dissipate crowds if they see such a situation occurring,” Sawant said.

Meanwhile, the dhonds, who fast in the run-up to the jatra, initiated rituals on Tuesday morning. The jatra sees the largest number of devotees in the night on the first day when the dhonds — after taking a dip in the temple pond — make their way to the homkhund where they walk over live embers.

The CM also referred to the recent controversy over YouTuber Gautam Khattar’s remarks against St Francis Xavier and said that he prayed at the temple to help retain communal harmony in Goa.

“I have prayed that this year’s jatra should proceed smoothly. I have also prayed that Goa’s communal harmony be preserved. Anyone organising any programme and anyone speaking at the programmes should take care. Often, in the heat of the moment, various people make various statements. But it should be seen that no one says anything that hurts sentiments,” said Sawant.
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