Goa, June 12 -- Over a month after the tragic stampede during the Shirgao Zatra festival, which claimed six lives and injured nearly 100 people, the investigation has entered a crucial phase. The government is now examining responses from key officials who were on duty during the incident.

All eight government officials served with show-cause notices in connection with the Shirgao Zatra stampede have submitted their written replies, confirmed Chief Secretary V Candavelou.

The fatal incident occurred in early May at the Lairai Devi temple during the fire-walking ritual, which draws tens of thousands of devotees annually. The resulting crowd surge led to chaos on a narrow slope near the temple, sparking a stampede.

Following a preliminar...