PANJIM, May 3 -- Team Herald

A resident of Quepem, an eyewitness to the stampede at the Shree Lairai zatra in his first-hand account, revealed the tragic incident was triggered by lack of proper arrangements, failure of the police to control the massive crowd and the alleged unruly behaviour of a section of devotees.

Vishal Gauns Dessai, a resident of Avedem-Kothambi, Quepem, who attends the zatra each year said, "This year there was a massive turnout of devotees and somewhere the arrangement appeared to be poor. There was mismanagement. The attitude of some of the Dhonds, who often push and offend devotees while proceeding towards the fire walking ceremony has to change."

According to him, the stampede occurred following verbal fights...