Neglect led to Sabarimela stampede: Forest dept

Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala forest department on Tuesday said total neglect of its repeated warnings against uncurbed entry of vehicles into the narrow hill route led to the Sabarimala stampede of last Friday that claimed 102 lives.

The comment came a day after Kerala High Court lambasted the government.

According to NDTV, the department alleged in a report that its warnings to authorities concerned to strictly regulate vehicles like jeeps and autorickshaws had been largely ignored by the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple affairs, and other agencies who conduct the pilgrimage, which draws millions during the peak period.

The authorities of the Periyar Tiger Reserve also cited similar lapses as the factors that led to the disaster that claimed 102 lives, the report said.

PTR Field Director R R Shukla also sent a report to the National Tiger Conservation Authority as sought by the agency, it said.

At least 102 people were killed and many injured in a stampede triggered by road mishaps on Friday last near Sabarimala shrine of Kerala when the pilgrims were returning from the religious venue through a narrow trekking route in the forested hills.