Bangalore: Karnataka Law Minister Suresh Kumar on Sunday blamed "negligence" of the Kerala government for the Sabarimala stampede, saying that they took "things for granted".
"We have the recent example of Kumbh mela where nearly one-and-a-half crore people took bath in Haridwar. We had excellent arrangement. So I think this is sure negligence on the part of the (Kerala) government departments and taking things for granted. Ultimately, its a very costly incident..," Kumar told a private news channel.
The minister remarked that various state governments have earlier successfully managed similar congregations.
In the worst disaster to hit Sabarimala pilgrims, 102 devotees were killed and 50 injured in a stampede at Pullumedu near the famous hill-top shrine, raising questions about inadequate infrastructure and poor police deployment.
Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has announced a judicial inquiry into the tragedy and declared a solarium of Rs five lakh each for families of those killed.
Lack of basic amenities like lighting, water supply and camping facilities, coupled with insufficient police deployment were blamed for the tragedy that struck home bound pilgrims.
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