No cop error in Sabari stampede: Loknath Behera

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State police chief Loknath Behera said here on Monday that prima facie there was no lapse on the part of the police when the   stampede occurred at Sabarimala on Sunday.  A probe into the incident was on and action would be taken if any lapses were found on the part of any police officials, he said. “ADGP Nithin Agarwal and IG Ernakulam-range S. Sreejith have been asked to submit a report on the incident.  The CCTV footages of the stampede spot would be also reviewed. If there was any police lapse, stringent action will be initiated,” Mr. Behera told reporters here.

According to him, the primary  cause for the stampede was the lack of strength of barricades. Owing to the rush of pilgrims, the barricades fell down and this led to the stampede. The police initiated swift steps to ensure that panic was not triggered among the pilgrims, he said. Though the weakness of the barricades was brought to the notice of the Devaswom Board authorities earlier, no  steps were initiated. 

“ADGP south-zone B. Sandhya had stressed the need to strengthen the barricades during a review meeting of the temple security arrangements.   We are not blaming the Devaswom Board authorities now as all agencies are now working together,” said Mr. Behera. After considering the inquiry report, it would be decided whether more state or central security forces need to be deployed in the temple.  The security would be beefed up as part of upcoming Makaravilaku season. The allegations  that there were intelligence reports on the security problems at Sabarimala were baseless, he said.